diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath9k/hw.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath9k/hw.c
index 1f6f3934d379..63d0ead1c412 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath9k/hw.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath9k/hw.c
@@ -4801,7 +4801,11 @@ static void ath9k_hw_9280_spur_mitigate(struct ath_hal *ah,
 
 	for (i = 0; i < 123; i++) {
 		if ((cur_vit_mask > lower) && (cur_vit_mask < upper)) {
-			if ((abs(cur_vit_mask - bin)) < 75)
+
+			/* workaround for gcc bug #37014 */
+			volatile int tmp = abs(cur_vit_mask - bin);
+
+			if (tmp < 75)
 				mask_amt = 1;
 			else
 				mask_amt = 0;