diff --git a/drivers/md/raid0.c b/drivers/md/raid0.c
index 08e173478bef..06a0257e752a 100644
--- a/drivers/md/raid0.c
+++ b/drivers/md/raid0.c
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ static int create_strip_zones(struct mddev *mddev, struct r0conf **private_conf)
 	kfree(conf->strip_zone);
 	kfree(conf->devlist);
 	kfree(conf);
-	*private_conf = NULL;
+	*private_conf = ERR_PTR(err);
 	return err;
 }