diff --git a/roles/network/templates/hostapd/test-wifi b/roles/network/templates/hostapd/test-wifi
index f1a1bc66c..32ff15601 100755
--- a/roles/network/templates/hostapd/test-wifi
+++ b/roles/network/templates/hostapd/test-wifi
@@ -15,6 +15,10 @@ fi
 # covers raspbian
 if [ -f /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf ]; then
     RASPBIAN=1
+    if /usr/sbin/rfkill list wifi | grep -q "Soft blocked: yes" ; then
+        echo "unblocking WiFi"
+        rfkill unblock wifi
+    fi
     SSID=`grep ssid /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf | awk -F = '{print $2}' | sed -r s/\"// | sed -r s/\"//`
 fi