diff --git a/net/mac80211/iface.c b/net/mac80211/iface.c
index 4116a75..ef741e8 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/iface.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/iface.c
@@ -299,8 +299,8 @@
 			goto err_del_interface;
 		}
 
-		/* no locking required since STA is not live yet */
-		sta->flags |= WLAN_STA_AUTHORIZED;
+		/* no atomic bitop required since STA is not live yet */
+		set_sta_flag(sta, WLAN_STA_AUTHORIZED);
 
 		res = sta_info_insert(sta);
 		if (res) {