diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/emulex/benet/be_main.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/emulex/benet/be_main.c
index 08e54f3..2886c9b 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/emulex/benet/be_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/emulex/benet/be_main.c
@@ -759,8 +759,9 @@
 
 	if (vlan_tx_tag_present(skb)) {
 		vlan_tag = be_get_tx_vlan_tag(adapter, skb);
-		__vlan_put_tag(skb, vlan_tag);
-		skb->vlan_tci = 0;
+		skb = __vlan_put_tag(skb, vlan_tag);
+		if (skb)
+			skb->vlan_tci = 0;
 	}
 
 	return skb;