diff --git a/crypto/asymmetric_keys/public_key.c b/crypto/asymmetric_keys/public_key.c
index d7f43d4..e5fae4e 100644
--- a/crypto/asymmetric_keys/public_key.c
+++ b/crypto/asymmetric_keys/public_key.c
@@ -119,6 +119,7 @@ static int software_key_query(const struct kernel_pkey_params *params,
 	if (IS_ERR(tfm))
 		return PTR_ERR(tfm);
 
+	ret = -ENOMEM;
 	key = kmalloc(pkey->keylen + sizeof(u32) * 2 + pkey->paramlen,
 		      GFP_KERNEL);
 	if (!key)