diff --git a/drivers/firmware/qcom/qcom_qseecom_uefisecapp.c b/drivers/firmware/qcom/qcom_qseecom_uefisecapp.c
index bc550ad0dbe0..68b2c09ed22c 100644
--- a/drivers/firmware/qcom/qcom_qseecom_uefisecapp.c
+++ b/drivers/firmware/qcom/qcom_qseecom_uefisecapp.c
@@ -786,6 +786,10 @@ static int qcuefi_set_reference(struct qcuefi_client *qcuefi)
 static struct qcuefi_client *qcuefi_acquire(void)
 {
 	mutex_lock(&__qcuefi_lock);
+	if (!__qcuefi) {
+		mutex_unlock(&__qcuefi_lock);
+		return NULL;
+	}
 	return __qcuefi;
 }