diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/cavium/thunder/nicvf_main.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/cavium/thunder/nicvf_main.c
index 19b58fc3ca41..45f06504a61b 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/cavium/thunder/nicvf_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/cavium/thunder/nicvf_main.c
@@ -1953,7 +1953,8 @@ static void __nicvf_set_rx_mode_task(u8 mode, struct xcast_addr_list *mc_addrs,
 
 	/* flush DMAC filters and reset RX mode */
 	mbx.xcast.msg = NIC_MBOX_MSG_RESET_XCAST;
-	nicvf_send_msg_to_pf(nic, &mbx);
+	if (nicvf_send_msg_to_pf(nic, &mbx) < 0)
+		goto free_mc;
 
 	if (mode & BGX_XCAST_MCAST_FILTER) {
 		/* once enabling filtering, we need to signal to PF to add
@@ -1961,7 +1962,8 @@ static void __nicvf_set_rx_mode_task(u8 mode, struct xcast_addr_list *mc_addrs,
 		 */
 		mbx.xcast.msg = NIC_MBOX_MSG_ADD_MCAST;
 		mbx.xcast.data.mac = 0;
-		nicvf_send_msg_to_pf(nic, &mbx);
+		if (nicvf_send_msg_to_pf(nic, &mbx) < 0)
+			goto free_mc;
 	}
 
 	/* check if we have any specific MACs to be added to PF DMAC filter */
@@ -1970,9 +1972,9 @@ static void __nicvf_set_rx_mode_task(u8 mode, struct xcast_addr_list *mc_addrs,
 		for (idx = 0; idx < mc_addrs->count; idx++) {
 			mbx.xcast.msg = NIC_MBOX_MSG_ADD_MCAST;
 			mbx.xcast.data.mac = mc_addrs->mc[idx];
-			nicvf_send_msg_to_pf(nic, &mbx);
+			if (nicvf_send_msg_to_pf(nic, &mbx) < 0)
+				goto free_mc;
 		}
-		kfree(mc_addrs);
 	}
 
 	/* and finally set rx mode for PF accordingly */
@@ -1980,6 +1982,8 @@ static void __nicvf_set_rx_mode_task(u8 mode, struct xcast_addr_list *mc_addrs,
 	mbx.xcast.data.mode = mode;
 
 	nicvf_send_msg_to_pf(nic, &mbx);
+free_mc:
+	kfree(mc_addrs);
 }
 
 static void nicvf_set_rx_mode_task(struct work_struct *work_arg)