diff --git a/core/mac/src/pe/lim/lim_process_assoc_req_frame.c b/core/mac/src/pe/lim/lim_process_assoc_req_frame.c
index 85774822b0d6..6d9594ca1296 100644
--- a/core/mac/src/pe/lim/lim_process_assoc_req_frame.c
+++ b/core/mac/src/pe/lim/lim_process_assoc_req_frame.c
@@ -2117,6 +2117,7 @@ void lim_process_assoc_req_frame(struct mac_context *mac_ctx, uint8_t *rx_pkt_in
 	tpSirAssocReq assoc_req;
 	bool dup_entry = false, force_1x1 = false;
 	QDF_STATUS status;
+	struct wlan_objmgr_vdev *vdev;
 
 	lim_get_phy_mode(mac_ctx, &phy_mode, session);
 
@@ -2151,6 +2152,18 @@ void lim_process_assoc_req_frame(struct mac_context *mac_ctx, uint8_t *rx_pkt_in
 			eLIM_MLM_WT_DEL_BSS_RSP_STATE);
 		return;
 	}
+	vdev = session->vdev;
+	if (!vdev) {
+		pe_err("vdev is NULL");
+		return;
+	}
+
+	if (wlan_vdev_is_up(vdev) != QDF_STATUS_SUCCESS) {
+		pe_err("SAP is not up, drop ASSOC REQ on sessionid: %d",
+		       session->peSessionId);
+
+		return;
+	}
 
 	/*
 	 * If a STA is already present in DPH and it is initiating a Assoc