diff --git a/src/ap/ieee802_11.c b/src/ap/ieee802_11.c
index 6f013fb18..88f575a59 100644
--- a/src/ap/ieee802_11.c
+++ b/src/ap/ieee802_11.c
@@ -925,7 +925,7 @@ static u16 check_assoc_ies(struct hostapd_data *hapd, struct sta_info *sta,
 		hostapd_logger(hapd, sta->addr, HOSTAPD_MODULE_IEEE80211,
 			       HOSTAPD_LEVEL_INFO, "Station does not support "
 			       "mandatory VHT PHY - reject association");
-		return WLAN_STATUS_UNSPECIFIED_FAILURE;
+		return WLAN_STATUS_ASSOC_DENIED_NO_VHT;
 	}
 #endif /* CONFIG_IEEE80211AC */
 
diff --git a/src/common/ieee802_11_defs.h b/src/common/ieee802_11_defs.h
index 9b2d54f4a..c2bf09d12 100644
--- a/src/common/ieee802_11_defs.h
+++ b/src/common/ieee802_11_defs.h
@@ -161,6 +161,7 @@
 #define WLAN_STATUS_ANTI_CLOGGING_TOKEN_REQ 76
 #define WLAN_STATUS_FINITE_CYCLIC_GROUP_NOT_SUPPORTED 77
 #define WLAN_STATUS_TRANSMISSION_FAILURE 79
+#define WLAN_STATUS_ASSOC_DENIED_NO_VHT 104
 
 /* Reason codes (IEEE 802.11-2007, 7.3.1.7, Table 7-22) */
 #define WLAN_REASON_UNSPECIFIED 1