diff --git a/components/esp_wifi/src/wifi_netif.c b/components/esp_wifi/src/wifi_netif.c
index e6b8e409d7..cc3672f459 100644
--- a/components/esp_wifi/src/wifi_netif.c
+++ b/components/esp_wifi/src/wifi_netif.c
@@ -133,10 +133,13 @@ esp_err_t esp_wifi_register_if_rxcb(wifi_netif_driver_t ifx, esp_netif_receive_t
         return ESP_ERR_NOT_SUPPORTED;
     }
 
+    /* Interface must be set before registering Wi-Fi RX callback */
+    set_wifi_netif(wifi_interface, esp_netif_get_netif_impl(arg));
+
     if ((ret = esp_wifi_internal_reg_rxcb(wifi_interface,  rxcb)) != ESP_OK) {
         ESP_LOGE(TAG, "esp_wifi_internal_reg_rxcb for if=%d failed with %d", wifi_interface, ret);
         return ESP_ERR_INVALID_STATE;
     }
-    set_wifi_netif(wifi_interface, esp_netif_get_netif_impl(arg));
+
     return ESP_OK;
 }