diff --git a/security/keys/keyctl.c b/security/keys/keyctl.c
index 06ec722..5f830bc 100644
--- a/security/keys/keyctl.c
+++ b/security/keys/keyctl.c
@@ -1194,7 +1194,7 @@
 		 * have the authorisation token handy */
 		instkey = key_get_instantiation_authkey(keyid);
 		if (IS_ERR(instkey))
-			return PTR_ERR(key_ref);
+			return PTR_ERR(instkey);
 		key_put(instkey);
 
 		key_ref = lookup_user_key(keyid, KEY_LOOKUP_PARTIAL, 0);