diff --git a/sound/soc/soc-topology.c b/sound/soc/soc-topology.c
index c63545b27d45..8b58a7864703 100644
--- a/sound/soc/soc-topology.c
+++ b/sound/soc/soc-topology.c
@@ -1072,11 +1072,7 @@ static int soc_tplg_dapm_graph_elems_load(struct soc_tplg *tplg,
 			break;
 		}
 
-		/* set to NULL atm for tplg users */
-		route->connected = NULL;
-		if (strnlen(elem->control, SNDRV_CTL_ELEM_ID_NAME_MAXLEN) == 0) {
-			route->control = NULL;
-		} else {
+		if (strnlen(elem->control, SNDRV_CTL_ELEM_ID_NAME_MAXLEN) != 0) {
 			route->control = devm_kmemdup(tplg->dev, elem->control,
 						      min(strlen(elem->control),
 							  SNDRV_CTL_ELEM_ID_NAME_MAXLEN),