diff --git a/package/kernel/mac80211/files/lib/netifd/wireless/mac80211.sh b/package/kernel/mac80211/files/lib/netifd/wireless/mac80211.sh
index 7ca138c68c..c184eef641 100644
--- a/package/kernel/mac80211/files/lib/netifd/wireless/mac80211.sh
+++ b/package/kernel/mac80211/files/lib/netifd/wireless/mac80211.sh
@@ -782,6 +782,7 @@ mac80211_setup_vif() {
 	case "$mode" in
 		mesh)
 			wireless_vif_parse_encryption
+			[ -z "$htmode" ] && htmode="NOHT";
 			freq="$(get_freq "$phy" "$channel")"
 			if [ "$wpa" -gt 0 -o "$auto_channel" -gt 0 ] || chan_is_dfs "$phy" "$channel"; then
 				mac80211_setup_supplicant $vif_enable || failed=1