diff --git a/security/keys/encrypted-keys/encrypted.c b/security/keys/encrypted-keys/encrypted.c
index 696ccfa08d10..31898856682e 100644
--- a/security/keys/encrypted-keys/encrypted.c
+++ b/security/keys/encrypted-keys/encrypted.c
@@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ static int init_blkcipher_desc(struct blkcipher_desc *desc, const u8 *key,
 static struct key *request_master_key(struct encrypted_key_payload *epayload,
 				      const u8 **master_key, size_t *master_keylen)
 {
-	struct key *mkey = NULL;
+	struct key *mkey = ERR_PTR(-EINVAL);
 
 	if (!strncmp(epayload->master_desc, KEY_TRUSTED_PREFIX,
 		     KEY_TRUSTED_PREFIX_LEN)) {