diff --git a/src/miracled-link.c b/src/miracled-link.c
index 8ad6712..c77f8ae 100644
--- a/src/miracled-link.c
+++ b/src/miracled-link.c
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ static int link_wifi_startup_fn(sd_event_source *source,
 
 	r = link_wifi_start(l);
 	if (r < 0) {
-		if (wifi_is_open(l->w)) {
+		if (wifi_is_open(l->w) || ++l->wpa_startup_attempts >= 5) {
 			log_error("cannot start wifi on link %s", l->name);
 			link_free(l);
 			return 0;
diff --git a/src/miracled.h b/src/miracled.h
index 6cf2bb6..486b799 100644
--- a/src/miracled.h
+++ b/src/miracled.h
@@ -97,6 +97,7 @@ struct link {
 	struct wifi *w;
 	sd_event_source *wpa_child_source;
 	sd_event_source *wpa_startup_source;
+	unsigned int wpa_startup_attempts;
 
 	bool running : 1;
 };