diff --git a/core/wma/src/wma_main.c b/core/wma/src/wma_main.c
index 548472ed1ab1..388e4b628bf9 100644
--- a/core/wma/src/wma_main.c
+++ b/core/wma/src/wma_main.c
@@ -5917,11 +5917,13 @@ int wma_rx_service_ready_event(void *handle, uint8_t *cmd_param_info,
 		goto free_hw_mode_list;
 	}
 
-	status = qdf_mc_timer_start(&wma_handle->service_ready_ext_timer,
-				    WMA_SERVICE_READY_EXT_TIMEOUT);
-	if (QDF_IS_STATUS_ERROR(status))
-		WMA_LOGE("Failed to start the service ready ext timer");
-
+	if (wmi_service_enabled(wmi_handle, wmi_service_ext_msg)) {
+		status = qdf_mc_timer_start(
+				&wma_handle->service_ready_ext_timer,
+				WMA_SERVICE_READY_EXT_TIMEOUT);
+		if (QDF_IS_STATUS_ERROR(status))
+			WMA_LOGE("Failed to start the service ready ext timer");
+	}
 	wma_handle->tx_bfee_8ss_enabled =
 		wmi_service_enabled(wmi_handle, wmi_service_8ss_tx_bfee);