diff --git a/include/net/bluetooth/hci_core.h b/include/net/bluetooth/hci_core.h
index e6359f7346f1..d0a2993883af 100644
--- a/include/net/bluetooth/hci_core.h
+++ b/include/net/bluetooth/hci_core.h
@@ -1518,6 +1518,9 @@ static inline struct hci_conn *hci_conn_hold(struct hci_conn *conn)
 
 static inline void hci_conn_drop(struct hci_conn *conn)
 {
+	if (IS_ERR(conn))
+		return;
+
 	BT_DBG("hcon %p orig refcnt %d", conn, atomic_read(&conn->refcnt));
 
 	if (atomic_dec_and_test(&conn->refcnt)) {