diff --git a/net/mac80211/mlme.c b/net/mac80211/mlme.c
index 8d26e9bf896448167f9f2af8b8a9aa9354d85129..dc5049d58c51fe2c977e55c4b3d29b0e698486ca 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/mlme.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/mlme.c
@@ -1457,8 +1457,7 @@ ieee80211_rx_mgmt_assoc_resp(struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata,
 	if (status_code != WLAN_STATUS_SUCCESS) {
 		printk(KERN_DEBUG "%s: AP denied association (code=%d)\n",
 		       sdata->dev->name, status_code);
-		list_del(&wk->list);
-		kfree(wk);
+		wk->state = IEEE80211_MGD_STATE_IDLE;
 		return RX_MGMT_CFG80211_ASSOC;
 	}