diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/carl9170/tx.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/carl9170/tx.c
index 235cf77cd60c..43050dc7b98d 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/carl9170/tx.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/carl9170/tx.c
@@ -1557,6 +1557,9 @@ static struct carl9170_vif_info *carl9170_pick_beaconing_vif(struct ar9170 *ar)
 					goto out;
 			}
 		} while (ar->beacon_enabled && i--);
+
+		/* no entry found in list */
+		return NULL;
 	}
 
 out: