diff --git a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_os.c b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_os.c
index 3bd956d3bc5d..dce42a416876 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_os.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_os.c
@@ -3212,6 +3212,7 @@ qla2x00_probe_one(struct pci_dev *pdev, const struct pci_device_id *id)
 		ql_log(ql_log_fatal, base_vha, 0x00ed,
 		    "Failed to start DPC thread.\n");
 		ret = PTR_ERR(ha->dpc_thread);
+		ha->dpc_thread = NULL;
 		goto probe_failed;
 	}
 	ql_dbg(ql_dbg_init, base_vha, 0x00ee,