diff --git a/hostapd/config_file.c b/hostapd/config_file.c
index 949a9d171..b7d1f2f14 100644
--- a/hostapd/config_file.c
+++ b/hostapd/config_file.c
@@ -257,6 +257,7 @@ static int hostapd_config_read_eap_user(const char *fname,
 			if (attr == NULL) {
 				wpa_printf(MSG_ERROR, "Invalid radius_auth_req_attr: %s",
 					   buf + 19);
+				user = NULL; /* already in the BSS list */
 				goto failed;
 			}
 			if (user->accept_attr == NULL) {