diff --git a/core/hdd/src/wlan_hdd_main.c b/core/hdd/src/wlan_hdd_main.c
index a3545b0e1f5c..79ee4a2ef7ff 100644
--- a/core/hdd/src/wlan_hdd_main.c
+++ b/core/hdd/src/wlan_hdd_main.c
@@ -1809,7 +1809,13 @@ static void hdd_update_wiphy_vhtcap(struct hdd_context *hdd_ctx)
 
 	ucfg_mlme_cfg_get_vht_tx_mcs_map(hdd_ctx->psoc, &value2);
 	band_5g->vht_cap.vht_mcs.tx_mcs_map = value2;
+
+	if (!band_2g) {
+		hdd_debug("2GHz band disabled, skipping capability population");
+		return;
+	}
 	ucfg_mlme_get_vht_for_24ghz(hdd_ctx->psoc, &is_vht_24ghz);
+
 	if (is_vht_24ghz)
 		band_2g->vht_cap.vht_mcs.tx_mcs_map = value2;
 }