diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-dw.c b/drivers/spi/spi-dw.c
index a92aa5cd4fbe..a160d9a141ea 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-dw.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-dw.c
@@ -460,7 +460,8 @@ int dw_spi_add_host(struct device *dev, struct dw_spi *dws)
 	struct spi_controller *master;
 	int ret;
 
-	BUG_ON(dws == NULL);
+	if (!dws)
+		return -EINVAL;
 
 	master = spi_alloc_master(dev, 0);
 	if (!master)