diff --git a/sound/atmel/ac97c.c b/sound/atmel/ac97c.c
index 115313ef54d6..f5ded640b395 100644
--- a/sound/atmel/ac97c.c
+++ b/sound/atmel/ac97c.c
@@ -991,6 +991,8 @@ static int __devinit atmel_ac97c_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 			gpio_direction_output(pdata->reset_pin, 1);
 			chip->reset_pin = pdata->reset_pin;
 		}
+	} else {
+		chip->reset_pin = -EINVAL;
 	}
 
 	snd_card_set_dev(card, &pdev->dev);