diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/hisilicon/hns3/hnae3.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/hisilicon/hns3/hnae3.c
index 528f6243cdc68..03ca7d925e8e0 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/hisilicon/hns3/hnae3.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/hisilicon/hns3/hnae3.c
@@ -138,12 +138,28 @@ EXPORT_SYMBOL(hnae3_register_client);
 
 void hnae3_unregister_client(struct hnae3_client *client)
 {
+	struct hnae3_client *client_tmp;
 	struct hnae3_ae_dev *ae_dev;
+	bool existed = false;
 
 	if (!client)
 		return;
 
 	mutex_lock(&hnae3_common_lock);
+
+	list_for_each_entry(client_tmp, &hnae3_client_list, node) {
+		if (client_tmp->type == client->type) {
+			existed = true;
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+
+	if (!existed) {
+		mutex_unlock(&hnae3_common_lock);
+		pr_err("client %s does not exist!\n", client->name);
+		return;
+	}
+
 	/* un-initialize the client on every matched port */
 	list_for_each_entry(ae_dev, &hnae3_ae_dev_list, node) {
 		hnae3_uninit_client_instance(client, ae_dev);