diff --git a/src/drivers/driver_nl80211.c b/src/drivers/driver_nl80211.c
index 1d504a39d..bc4b7e316 100644
--- a/src/drivers/driver_nl80211.c
+++ b/src/drivers/driver_nl80211.c
@@ -7660,6 +7660,16 @@ static int nl80211_create_iface(struct wpa_driver_nl80211_data *drv,
 		if (use_existing) {
 			wpa_printf(MSG_DEBUG, "nl80211: Continue using existing interface %s",
 				   ifname);
+			if (addr && iftype != NL80211_IFTYPE_MONITOR &&
+			    linux_set_ifhwaddr(drv->global->ioctl_sock, ifname,
+					       addr) < 0 &&
+			    (linux_set_iface_flags(drv->global->ioctl_sock,
+						   ifname, 0) < 0 ||
+			     linux_set_ifhwaddr(drv->global->ioctl_sock, ifname,
+						addr) < 0 ||
+			     linux_set_iface_flags(drv->global->ioctl_sock,
+						   ifname, 1) < 0))
+					return -1;
 			return -ENFILE;
 		}
 		wpa_printf(MSG_INFO, "Try to remove and re-create %s", ifname);