diff --git a/net/sched/sch_taprio.c b/net/sched/sch_taprio.c
index a315748a5e53..418d4a846d04 100644
--- a/net/sched/sch_taprio.c
+++ b/net/sched/sch_taprio.c
@@ -1186,16 +1186,13 @@ static int taprio_parse_mqprio_opt(struct net_device *dev,
 {
 	bool allow_overlapping_txqs = TXTIME_ASSIST_IS_ENABLED(taprio_flags);
 
-	if (!qopt && !dev->num_tc) {
-		NL_SET_ERR_MSG(extack, "'mqprio' configuration is necessary");
-		return -EINVAL;
-	}
-
-	/* If num_tc is already set, it means that the user already
-	 * configured the mqprio part
-	 */
-	if (dev->num_tc)
+	if (!qopt) {
+		if (!dev->num_tc) {
+			NL_SET_ERR_MSG(extack, "'mqprio' configuration is necessary");
+			return -EINVAL;
+		}
 		return 0;
+	}
 
 	/* taprio imposes that traffic classes map 1:n to tx queues */
 	if (qopt->num_tc > dev->num_tx_queues) {