diff --git a/crypto/rsa.c b/crypto/rsa.c
index c79613cdce6e..b9cd11fb7d36 100644
--- a/crypto/rsa.c
+++ b/crypto/rsa.c
@@ -220,6 +220,8 @@ static int rsa_check_exponent_fips(MPI e)
 	}
 
 	e_max = mpi_alloc(0);
+	if (!e_max)
+		return -ENOMEM;
 	mpi_set_bit(e_max, 256);
 
 	if (mpi_cmp(e, e_max) >= 0) {