diff --git a/drivers/net/can/softing/softing_main.c b/drivers/net/can/softing/softing_main.c
index 7621f91a8a209e..fd48770ba79201 100644
--- a/drivers/net/can/softing/softing_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/can/softing/softing_main.c
@@ -393,8 +393,13 @@ static int softing_netdev_open(struct net_device *ndev)
 
 	/* check or determine and set bittime */
 	ret = open_candev(ndev);
-	if (!ret)
-		ret = softing_startstop(ndev, 1);
+	if (ret)
+		return ret;
+
+	ret = softing_startstop(ndev, 1);
+	if (ret < 0)
+		close_candev(ndev);
+
 	return ret;
 }