diff --git a/net/mac80211/cfg.c b/net/mac80211/cfg.c
index 94889def2ef5..57b71432ec65 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/cfg.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/cfg.c
@@ -977,6 +977,14 @@ static int sta_apply_auth_flags(struct ieee80211_local *local,
 	if (mask & BIT(NL80211_STA_FLAG_ASSOCIATED) &&
 	    set & BIT(NL80211_STA_FLAG_ASSOCIATED) &&
 	    !test_sta_flag(sta, WLAN_STA_ASSOC)) {
+		/*
+		 * When peer becomes associated, init rate control as
+		 * well. Some drivers require rate control initialized
+		 * before drv_sta_state() is called.
+		 */
+		if (test_sta_flag(sta, WLAN_STA_TDLS_PEER))
+			rate_control_rate_init(sta);
+
 		ret = sta_info_move_state(sta, IEEE80211_STA_ASSOC);
 		if (ret)
 			return ret;
@@ -1378,11 +1386,6 @@ static int ieee80211_change_station(struct wiphy *wiphy,
 	if (err)
 		goto out_err;
 
-	/* When peer becomes authorized, init rate control as well */
-	if (test_sta_flag(sta, WLAN_STA_TDLS_PEER) &&
-	    test_sta_flag(sta, WLAN_STA_AUTHORIZED))
-		rate_control_rate_init(sta);
-
 	mutex_unlock(&local->sta_mtx);
 
 	if ((sdata->vif.type == NL80211_IFTYPE_AP ||