diff --git a/drivers/perf/arm_dmc620_pmu.c b/drivers/perf/arm_dmc620_pmu.c
index 8a81be2dd5ec..88c17c1d6d49 100644
--- a/drivers/perf/arm_dmc620_pmu.c
+++ b/drivers/perf/arm_dmc620_pmu.c
@@ -542,12 +542,16 @@ static int dmc620_pmu_event_init(struct perf_event *event)
 	if (event->cpu < 0)
 		return -EINVAL;
 
+	hwc->idx = -1;
+
+	if (event->group_leader == event)
+		return 0;
+
 	/*
 	 * We can't atomically disable all HW counters so only one event allowed,
 	 * although software events are acceptable.
 	 */
-	if (event->group_leader != event &&
-			!is_software_event(event->group_leader))
+	if (!is_software_event(event->group_leader))
 		return -EINVAL;
 
 	for_each_sibling_event(sibling, event->group_leader) {
@@ -556,7 +560,6 @@ static int dmc620_pmu_event_init(struct perf_event *event)
 			return -EINVAL;
 	}
 
-	hwc->idx = -1;
 	return 0;
 }