diff --git a/drivers/net/mvneta.c b/drivers/net/mvneta.c
index 6eacd61..7036b51 100644
--- a/drivers/net/mvneta.c
+++ b/drivers/net/mvneta.c
@@ -1562,6 +1562,10 @@
 
 			phydev = phy_connect(pp->bus, pp->phyaddr, dev,
 					     pp->phy_interface);
+			if (!phydev) {
+				printf("phy_connect failed\n");
+				return -ENODEV;
+			}
 
 			pp->phydev = phydev;
 			phy_config(phydev);