diff --git a/drivers/staging/rtl8188eu/os_dep/usb_intf.c b/drivers/staging/rtl8188eu/os_dep/usb_intf.c
index 518e9feb3f46..91a3d34a1050 100644
--- a/drivers/staging/rtl8188eu/os_dep/usb_intf.c
+++ b/drivers/staging/rtl8188eu/os_dep/usb_intf.c
@@ -446,7 +446,8 @@ static void rtw_usb_if1_deinit(struct adapter *if1)
 	pr_debug("+r871xu_dev_remove, hw_init_completed=%d\n",
 		 if1->hw_init_completed);
 	rtw_free_drv_sw(if1);
-	free_netdev(pnetdev);
+	if (pnetdev)
+		free_netdev(pnetdev);
 }
 
 static int rtw_drv_init(struct usb_interface *pusb_intf, const struct usb_device_id *pdid)