diff --git a/kernel/bpf/liveness.c b/kernel/bpf/liveness.c
index 1e6538f59a78..baa742e6cbb6 100644
--- a/kernel/bpf/liveness.c
+++ b/kernel/bpf/liveness.c
@@ -524,6 +524,8 @@ static int propagate_to_outer_instance(struct bpf_verifier_env *env,
 
 	this_subprog_start = callchain_subprog_start(callchain);
 	outer_instance = get_outer_instance(env, instance);
+	if (IS_ERR(outer_instance))
+		return PTR_ERR(outer_instance);
 	callsite = callchain->callsites[callchain->curframe - 1];
 
 	reset_stack_write_marks(env, outer_instance, callsite);