diff --git a/include/linux/fsl/enetc_mdio.h b/include/linux/fsl/enetc_mdio.h
index 2d9203314865..b90c4dc50b7d 100644
--- a/include/linux/fsl/enetc_mdio.h
+++ b/include/linux/fsl/enetc_mdio.h
@@ -48,7 +48,8 @@ static inline int enetc_mdio_read(struct mii_bus *bus, int phy_id, int regnum)
 static inline int enetc_mdio_write(struct mii_bus *bus, int phy_id, int regnum,
 				   u16 value)
 { return -EINVAL; }
-struct enetc_hw *enetc_hw_alloc(struct device *dev, void __iomem *port_regs)
+static inline struct enetc_hw *enetc_hw_alloc(struct device *dev,
+					      void __iomem *port_regs)
 { return ERR_PTR(-EINVAL); }
 
 #endif