diff --git a/drivers/dma/dmatest.c b/drivers/dma/dmatest.c
index 99a75e5d66be..a2c8904b63ea 100644
--- a/drivers/dma/dmatest.c
+++ b/drivers/dma/dmatest.c
@@ -536,7 +536,9 @@ static int dmatest_func(void *data)
 			thread_name, total_tests, failed_tests, ret);
 
 	/* terminate all transfers on specified channels */
-	dmaengine_terminate_all(chan);
+	if (ret)
+		dmaengine_terminate_all(chan);
+
 	if (iterations > 0)
 		while (!kthread_should_stop()) {
 			DECLARE_WAIT_QUEUE_HEAD_ONSTACK(wait_dmatest_exit);