diff --git a/kernel/trace/trace_stat.c b/kernel/trace/trace_stat.c
index 5816d1aebcc9..8030ec98dbad 100644
--- a/kernel/trace/trace_stat.c
+++ b/kernel/trace/trace_stat.c
@@ -60,8 +60,8 @@ static struct rb_node *release_next(struct rb_node *node)
 		return node->rb_right;
 	else {
 		if (!parent)
-			return NULL;
-		if (parent->rb_left == node)
+			;
+		else if (parent->rb_left == node)
 			parent->rb_left = NULL;
 		else
 			parent->rb_right = NULL;