diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath11k/core.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath11k/core.c
index 4a1051418f33..969bf1a590d9 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath11k/core.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath11k/core.c
@@ -532,7 +532,8 @@ static int ath11k_core_fetch_board_data_api_n(struct ath11k_base *ab,
 		if (len < ALIGN(ie_len, 4)) {
 			ath11k_err(ab, "invalid length for board ie_id %d ie_len %zu len %zu\n",
 				   ie_id, ie_len, len);
-			return -EINVAL;
+			ret = -EINVAL;
+			goto err;
 		}
 
 		switch (ie_id) {