diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/ixgbevf/vf.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/ixgbevf/vf.c
index 5fc347abab3c..d459f5c8e98f 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/ixgbevf/vf.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/ixgbevf/vf.c
@@ -66,9 +66,9 @@ static s32 ixgbevf_reset_hw_vf(struct ixgbe_hw *hw)
 {
 	struct ixgbe_mbx_info *mbx = &hw->mbx;
 	u32 timeout = IXGBE_VF_INIT_TIMEOUT;
-	s32 ret_val = IXGBE_ERR_INVALID_MAC_ADDR;
 	u32 msgbuf[IXGBE_VF_PERMADDR_MSG_LEN];
 	u8 *addr = (u8 *)(&msgbuf[1]);
+	s32 ret_val;
 
 	/* Call adapter stop to disable tx/rx and clear interrupts */
 	hw->mac.ops.stop_adapter(hw);