diff --git a/src/drivers/driver_nl80211.c b/src/drivers/driver_nl80211.c
index fe8e908b3..9f7d0f562 100644
--- a/src/drivers/driver_nl80211.c
+++ b/src/drivers/driver_nl80211.c
@@ -7811,8 +7811,17 @@ static int nl80211_create_iface_once(struct wpa_driver_nl80211_data *drv,
 	if (ifidx <= 0)
 		return -1;
 
-	/* start listening for EAPOL on this interface */
-	add_ifidx(drv, ifidx);
+	/*
+	 * Some virtual interfaces need to process EAPOL packets and events on
+	 * the parent interface. This is used mainly with hostapd.
+	 */
+	if (drv->hostapd ||
+	    iftype == NL80211_IFTYPE_AP_VLAN ||
+	    iftype == NL80211_IFTYPE_WDS ||
+	    iftype == NL80211_IFTYPE_MONITOR) {
+		/* start listening for EAPOL on this interface */
+		add_ifidx(drv, ifidx);
+	}
 
 	if (addr && iftype != NL80211_IFTYPE_MONITOR &&
 	    linux_set_ifhwaddr(drv->global->ioctl_sock, ifname, addr)) {