diff --git a/hostapd/ctrl_iface.c b/hostapd/ctrl_iface.c
index 721c08b0f..1f1cea111 100644
--- a/hostapd/ctrl_iface.c
+++ b/hostapd/ctrl_iface.c
@@ -4364,6 +4364,8 @@ try_again:
 		return -1;
 	}
 
+	wpa_msg_register_cb(hostapd_ctrl_iface_msg_cb);
+
 	return 0;
 
 fail:
@@ -4466,6 +4468,8 @@ fail:
 	eloop_register_read_sock(s, hostapd_global_ctrl_iface_receive,
 				 interface, NULL);
 
+	wpa_msg_register_cb(hostapd_ctrl_iface_msg_cb);
+
 	return 0;
 
 fail: