diff --git a/net/tipc/bearer.c b/net/tipc/bearer.c
index e1006ed4d90a..0f970259d0d5 100644
--- a/net/tipc/bearer.c
+++ b/net/tipc/bearer.c
@@ -246,9 +246,8 @@ static int tipc_enable_bearer(struct net *net, const char *name,
 	u32 i;
 
 	if (!bearer_name_validate(name, &b_names)) {
-		errstr = "illegal name";
 		NL_SET_ERR_MSG(extack, "Illegal name");
-		goto rejected;
+		return res;
 	}
 
 	if (prio > TIPC_MAX_LINK_PRI && prio != TIPC_MEDIA_LINK_PRI) {