diff --git a/package/hostapd/files/hostapd.sh b/package/hostapd/files/hostapd.sh
index 0008a22fb3..a07883831e 100644
--- a/package/hostapd/files/hostapd.sh
+++ b/package/hostapd/files/hostapd.sh
@@ -76,6 +76,9 @@ hostapd_setup_vif() {
 	config_get device "$vif" device
 	config_get channel "$device" channel
 	config_get hwmode "$device" hwmode
+	case "$hwmode" in
+		bg) hwmode=g;;
+	esac
 	config_get country "$device" country
 	[ "$channel" = auto ] && channel=
 	[ -n "$channel" -a -z "$hwmode" ] && wifi_fixup_hwmode "$device"