--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath11k/debugfs_sta.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath11k/debugfs_sta.c
@@ -683,13 +683,22 @@ ath11k_dbg_sta_open_htt_peer_stats(struc
 	return 0;
 out:
 	vfree(stats_req);
+	ar->debug.htt_stats.stats_req = NULL;
 	return ret;
 }
 
 static int
 ath11k_dbg_sta_release_htt_peer_stats(struct inode *inode, struct file *file)
 {
+	struct ieee80211_sta *sta = inode->i_private;
+	struct ath11k_sta *arsta = (struct ath11k_sta *)sta->drv_priv;
+	struct ath11k *ar = arsta->arvif->ar;
+
+	mutex_lock(&ar->conf_mutex);
 	vfree(file->private_data);
+	ar->debug.htt_stats.stats_req = NULL;
+	mutex_unlock(&ar->conf_mutex);
+
 	return 0;
 }