diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/init.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/init.c
index 9d2c3eb9e34e..ea67c0100af2 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/init.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/init.c
@@ -705,7 +705,6 @@ static int ath9k_init_softc(u16 devid, struct ath_softc *sc,
 	ah->reg_ops.read = ath9k_ioread32;
 	ah->reg_ops.write = ath9k_iowrite32;
 	ah->reg_ops.rmw = ath9k_reg_rmw;
-	atomic_set(&ah->intr_ref_cnt, -1);
 	sc->sc_ah = ah;
 	pCap = &ah->caps;