diff --git a/package/madwifi/files/lib/wifi/madwifi.sh b/package/madwifi/files/lib/wifi/madwifi.sh
index 1f540a0f7e..df345316b5 100755
--- a/package/madwifi/files/lib/wifi/madwifi.sh
+++ b/package/madwifi/files/lib/wifi/madwifi.sh
@@ -258,6 +258,7 @@ enable_atheros() {
 			config_set "$vif" bridge "$bridge"
 			start_net "$ifname" "$net_cfg"
 		}
+		[ -n "$ssid" ] && iwconfig "$ifname" essid on
 		iwconfig "$ifname" essid "$ssid"
 		set_wifi_up "$vif" "$ifname"
 		case "$mode" in