diff --git a/core/hdd/src/wlan_hdd_main.c b/core/hdd/src/wlan_hdd_main.c
index 7d5d683cf14b..62a6c51ad400 100644
--- a/core/hdd/src/wlan_hdd_main.c
+++ b/core/hdd/src/wlan_hdd_main.c
@@ -2403,6 +2403,12 @@ static int __hdd_open(struct net_device *dev)
 	MTRACE(qdf_trace(QDF_MODULE_ID_HDD, TRACE_CODE_HDD_OPEN_REQUEST,
 		adapter->sessionId, adapter->device_mode));
 
+	/* Nothing to be done if device is unloading */
+	if (cds_is_driver_unloading()) {
+		hdd_err("Driver is unloading can not open the hdd");
+		return -EBUSY;
+	}
+
 	ret = wlan_hdd_validate_context(hdd_ctx);
 	if (ret)
 		return ret;