diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/pwm_bl.c b/drivers/video/backlight/pwm_bl.c
index 3a145a643e0d..6897f1c1bc73 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/pwm_bl.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/pwm_bl.c
@@ -274,6 +274,10 @@ static int pwm_backlight_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 
 	pb->pwm = devm_pwm_get(&pdev->dev, NULL);
 	if (IS_ERR(pb->pwm)) {
+		ret = PTR_ERR(pb->pwm);
+		if (ret == -EPROBE_DEFER)
+			goto err_alloc;
+
 		dev_err(&pdev->dev, "unable to request PWM, trying legacy API\n");
 		pb->legacy = true;
 		pb->pwm = pwm_request(data->pwm_id, "pwm-backlight");