diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/xilinx/xilinx_axienet_mdio.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/xilinx/xilinx_axienet_mdio.c
index 63307ea97846..9beea13e2e1f 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/xilinx/xilinx_axienet_mdio.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/xilinx/xilinx_axienet_mdio.c
@@ -217,6 +217,7 @@ issue:
 	ret = of_mdiobus_register(bus, np1);
 	if (ret) {
 		mdiobus_free(bus);
+		lp->mii_bus = NULL;
 		return ret;
 	}
 	return 0;