--- a/net80211/ieee80211_node.c
+++ b/net80211/ieee80211_node.c
@@ -427,8 +427,8 @@ ieee80211_reset_bss(struct ieee80211vap
 			  __func__, ni, MAC_ADDR(vap->iv_myaddr));
 	KASSERT(ni != NULL, ("unable to setup inital BSS node"));
 
-	vap->iv_bss = PASS_NODE(ni);
-	KASSERT((atomic_read(&vap->iv_bss->ni_refcnt) == 2), 
+	vap->iv_bss = ieee80211_ref_node(ni);
+	KASSERT((atomic_read(&vap->iv_bss->ni_refcnt) == 3), 
 		("wrong refcount for new node."));
 
 	if (obss != NULL) {
