diff --git a/drivers/nvme/host/core.c b/drivers/nvme/host/core.c
index fd206a6adad59..2c4cf65641a6b 100644
--- a/drivers/nvme/host/core.c
+++ b/drivers/nvme/host/core.c
@@ -2316,7 +2316,7 @@ int nvme_init_identify(struct nvme_ctrl *ctrl)
 	if (id->lpa & NVME_CTRL_LPA_CMD_EFFECTS_LOG) {
 		ret = nvme_get_effects_log(ctrl);
 		if (ret < 0)
-			return ret;
+			goto out_free;
 	}
 
 	if (!ctrl->identified) {