diff --git a/drivers/scsi/lpfc/lpfc_init.c b/drivers/scsi/lpfc/lpfc_init.c
index 4c77038c8f1c..6c867311cef1 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/lpfc/lpfc_init.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/lpfc/lpfc_init.c
@@ -1795,12 +1795,13 @@ lpfc_block_mgmt_io(struct lpfc_hba * phba)
 int
 lpfc_online(struct lpfc_hba *phba)
 {
-	struct lpfc_vport *vport = phba->pport;
+	struct lpfc_vport *vport;
 	struct lpfc_vport **vports;
 	int i;
 
 	if (!phba)
 		return 0;
+	vport = phba->pport;
 
 	if (!(vport->fc_flag & FC_OFFLINE_MODE))
 		return 0;