diff --git a/ports/esp8266/network_wlan.c b/ports/esp8266/network_wlan.c
index 5838cc8bc6..d6400eb89b 100644
--- a/ports/esp8266/network_wlan.c
+++ b/ports/esp8266/network_wlan.c
@@ -395,8 +395,8 @@ static mp_obj_t esp_config(size_t n_args, const mp_obj_t *args, mp_map_t *kwargs
                         break;
                     }
                     case MP_QSTR_channel: {
-                        req_if = SOFTAP_IF;
                         cfg.ap.channel = mp_obj_get_int(kwargs->table[i].value);
+                        error_check(wifi_set_channel(cfg.ap.channel), "can't set channel");
                         break;
                     }
                     case MP_QSTR_hostname:
@@ -471,8 +471,7 @@ static mp_obj_t esp_config(size_t n_args, const mp_obj_t *args, mp_map_t *kwargs
             val = MP_OBJ_NEW_SMALL_INT(cfg.ap.authmode);
             break;
         case MP_QSTR_channel:
-            req_if = SOFTAP_IF;
-            val = MP_OBJ_NEW_SMALL_INT(cfg.ap.channel);
+            val = MP_OBJ_NEW_SMALL_INT(wifi_get_channel());
             break;
         case MP_QSTR_hostname:
         case MP_QSTR_dhcp_hostname: {