diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/xmit.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/xmit.c
index b61a071..4ccf48e 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/xmit.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/xmit.c
@@ -355,7 +355,14 @@
 		}
 
 		if (bf_next == NULL) {
-			INIT_LIST_HEAD(&bf_head);
+			/*
+			 * Make sure the last desc is reclaimed if it
+			 * not a holding desc.
+			 */
+			if (!bf_last->bf_stale)
+				list_move_tail(&bf->list, &bf_head);
+			else
+				INIT_LIST_HEAD(&bf_head);
 		} else {
 			ASSERT(!list_empty(bf_q));
 			list_move_tail(&bf->list, &bf_head);