diff --git a/drivers/nvme/target/tcp.c b/drivers/nvme/target/tcp.c
index 5556f5588041..76b9eb438268 100644
--- a/drivers/nvme/target/tcp.c
+++ b/drivers/nvme/target/tcp.c
@@ -836,6 +836,7 @@ static int nvmet_tcp_handle_icreq(struct nvmet_tcp_queue *queue)
 		pr_err("bad nvme-tcp pdu length (%d)\n",
 			le32_to_cpu(icreq->hdr.plen));
 		nvmet_tcp_fatal_error(queue);
+		return -EPROTO;
 	}
 
 	if (icreq->pfv != NVME_TCP_PFV_1_0) {