diff --git a/package/network/services/hostapd/files/hostapd.uc b/package/network/services/hostapd/files/hostapd.uc
index 593840cca8..750fd535a4 100644
--- a/package/network/services/hostapd/files/hostapd.uc
+++ b/package/network/services/hostapd/files/hostapd.uc
@@ -278,12 +278,12 @@ function iface_reload_config(phydev, config, old_config)
 		return false;
 
 	let iface = hostapd.interfaces[phy];
+	let iface_name = old_config.bss[0].ifname;
 	if (!iface) {
 		hostapd.printf(`Could not find previous interface ${iface_name}`);
 		return false;
 	}
 
-	let iface_name = old_config.bss[0].ifname;
 	let first_bss = hostapd.bss[iface_name];
 	if (!first_bss) {
 		hostapd.printf(`Could not find bss of previous interface ${iface_name}`);