diff --git a/kernel/events/core.c b/kernel/events/core.c
index 88676ff98c0f..1730995c31ec 100644
--- a/kernel/events/core.c
+++ b/kernel/events/core.c
@@ -8260,6 +8260,7 @@ perf_event_parse_addr_filter(struct perf_event *event, char *fstr,
 		 * attribute.
 		 */
 		if (state == IF_STATE_END) {
+			ret = -EINVAL;
 			if (kernel && event->attr.exclude_kernel)
 				goto fail;