diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/stmicro/stmmac/dwmac-socfpga.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/stmicro/stmmac/dwmac-socfpga.c
index e97074cd5800a..5a36bd2c7837d 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/stmicro/stmmac/dwmac-socfpga.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/stmicro/stmmac/dwmac-socfpga.c
@@ -91,7 +91,9 @@ static int socfpga_dwmac_parse_data(struct socfpga_dwmac *dwmac, struct device *
 						  STMMAC_RESOURCE_NAME);
 	if (IS_ERR(dwmac->stmmac_rst)) {
 		dev_info(dev, "Could not get reset control!\n");
-		return -EINVAL;
+		if (PTR_ERR(dwmac->stmmac_rst) == -EPROBE_DEFER)
+			return -EPROBE_DEFER;
+		dwmac->stmmac_rst = NULL;
 	}
 
 	dwmac->interface = of_get_phy_mode(np);