diff --git a/security/integrity/evm/evm_crypto.c b/security/integrity/evm/evm_crypto.c
index d20f5792761c..fc142d04d365 100644
--- a/security/integrity/evm/evm_crypto.c
+++ b/security/integrity/evm/evm_crypto.c
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ static int evm_calc_hmac_or_hash(struct dentry *dentry,
 
 	/* Portable EVM signatures must include an IMA hash */
 	if (type == EVM_XATTR_PORTABLE_DIGSIG && !ima_present)
-		return -EPERM;
+		error = -EPERM;
 out:
 	kfree(xattr_value);
 	kfree(desc);