diff --git a/drivers/thermal/rcar_thermal.c b/drivers/thermal/rcar_thermal.c
index 71a339271fa5..5f817923f374 100644
--- a/drivers/thermal/rcar_thermal.c
+++ b/drivers/thermal/rcar_thermal.c
@@ -504,6 +504,7 @@ static int rcar_thermal_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 		if (IS_ERR(priv->zone)) {
 			dev_err(dev, "can't register thermal zone\n");
 			ret = PTR_ERR(priv->zone);
+			priv->zone = NULL;
 			goto error_unregister;
 		}