diff --git a/drivers/net/tsec.c b/drivers/net/tsec.c
index 79d656133a..dcdba4ea82 100644
--- a/drivers/net/tsec.c
+++ b/drivers/net/tsec.c
@@ -597,6 +597,8 @@ static int init_phy(struct eth_device *dev)
 		tsec_configure_serdes(priv);
 
 	phydev = phy_connect(priv->bus, priv->phyaddr, dev, priv->interface);
+	if (!phydev)
+		return 0;
 
 	phydev->supported &= supported;
 	phydev->advertising = phydev->supported;