diff --git a/net/nfc/nci/core.c b/net/nfc/nci/core.c
index fff755dde30d..6c9592d05120 100644
--- a/net/nfc/nci/core.c
+++ b/net/nfc/nci/core.c
@@ -909,6 +909,11 @@ static int nci_activate_target(struct nfc_dev *nfc_dev,
 		return -EINVAL;
 	}
 
+	if (protocol >= NFC_PROTO_MAX) {
+		pr_err("the requested nfc protocol is invalid\n");
+		return -EINVAL;
+	}
+
 	if (!(nci_target->supported_protocols & (1 << protocol))) {
 		pr_err("target does not support the requested protocol 0x%x\n",
 		       protocol);