--- a/package/kernel/mac80211/files/lib/netifd/wireless/mac80211.sh
+++ b/package/kernel/mac80211/files/lib/netifd/wireless/mac80211.sh
@@ -1096,7 +1096,11 @@ drv_mac80211_setup() {
 
 	iw phy "$phy" set antenna $txantenna $rxantenna >/dev/null 2>&1
 	iw phy "$phy" set antenna_gain $antenna_gain >/dev/null 2>&1
-	iw phy "$phy" set distance "$distance" >/dev/null 2>&1
+        if [ $distance -eq 0 -a -d /sys/kernel/debug/ieee80211/$phy/ath9k ]; then
+                iw phy "$phy" set distance auto
+        else
+                iw phy "$phy" set distance "$distance"
+       fi
 
 	if [ -n "$txpower" ]; then
 		iw phy "$phy" set txpower fixed "${txpower%%.*}00"