diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/b43/rfkill.c b/drivers/net/wireless/b43/rfkill.c
index ffdce6f3c90922179e4d21df0acab33f9e9ded0e..78016ae21c50578a9e41584b025923f708ea4eb3 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/b43/rfkill.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/b43/rfkill.c
@@ -33,8 +33,14 @@ bool b43_is_hw_radio_enabled(struct b43_wldev *dev)
 		      & B43_MMIO_RADIO_HWENABLED_HI_MASK))
 			return 1;
 	} else {
-		if (b43_status(dev) >= B43_STAT_STARTED &&
-		    b43_read16(dev, B43_MMIO_RADIO_HWENABLED_LO)
+		/* To prevent CPU fault on PPC, do not read a register
+		 * unless the interface is started; however, on resume
+		 * for hibernation, this routine is entered early. When
+		 * that happens, unconditionally return TRUE.
+		 */
+		if (b43_status(dev) < B43_STAT_STARTED)
+			return 1;
+		if (b43_read16(dev, B43_MMIO_RADIO_HWENABLED_LO)
 		    & B43_MMIO_RADIO_HWENABLED_LO_MASK)
 			return 1;
 	}