diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlegacy/3945-mac.c b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlegacy/3945-mac.c
index 54b2d39..a7dfba8 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlegacy/3945-mac.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlegacy/3945-mac.c
@@ -2475,7 +2475,7 @@
 	    container_of(data, struct il_priv, alive_start.work);
 
 	mutex_lock(&il->mutex);
-	if (test_bit(S_EXIT_PENDING, &il->status))
+	if (test_bit(S_EXIT_PENDING, &il->status) || il->txq == NULL)
 		goto out;
 
 	il3945_alive_start(il);
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlegacy/3945.c b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlegacy/3945.c
index 1489b15..c80eb9b 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlegacy/3945.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlegacy/3945.c
@@ -1870,11 +1870,12 @@
 	struct il_priv *il = container_of(work, struct il_priv,
 					  _3945.thermal_periodic.work);
 
-	if (test_bit(S_EXIT_PENDING, &il->status))
-		return;
-
 	mutex_lock(&il->mutex);
+	if (test_bit(S_EXIT_PENDING, &il->status) || il->txq == NULL)
+		goto out;
+
 	il3945_reg_txpower_periodic(il);
+out:
 	mutex_unlock(&il->mutex);
 }