diff --git a/net/ieee80211/softmac/ieee80211softmac_auth.c b/net/ieee80211/softmac/ieee80211softmac_auth.c
index 5a77352..6eab2be 100644
--- a/net/ieee80211/softmac/ieee80211softmac_auth.c
+++ b/net/ieee80211/softmac/ieee80211softmac_auth.c
@@ -278,6 +278,8 @@
 		kfree(net->challenge);
 	kfree(net);
 	
+	/* can't transmit data right now... */
+	netif_carrier_off(mac->dev);
 	/* let's try to re-associate */
 	schedule_work(&mac->associnfo.work);
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&mac->lock, flags);