diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/microsoft/mana/mana_en.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/microsoft/mana/mana_en.c
index e443d69e3951..a09001d22b49 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/microsoft/mana/mana_en.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/microsoft/mana/mana_en.c
@@ -2752,6 +2752,8 @@ static int add_adev(struct gdma_dev *gd)
 	if (ret)
 		goto init_fail;
 
+	/* madev is owned by the auxiliary device */
+	madev = NULL;
 	ret = auxiliary_device_add(adev);
 	if (ret)
 		goto add_fail;