diff --git a/drivers/pnp/pnpbios/core.c b/drivers/pnp/pnpbios/core.c
index e706d22b6dd..cfe86853feb 100644
--- a/drivers/pnp/pnpbios/core.c
+++ b/drivers/pnp/pnpbios/core.c
@@ -94,7 +94,6 @@ struct pnp_dev_node_info node_info;
 
 #ifdef CONFIG_HOTPLUG
 
-static int unloading = 0;
 static struct completion unload_sem;
 
 /*
@@ -158,7 +157,7 @@ static int pnp_dock_thread(void *unused)
 	int docked = -1, d = 0;
 
 	set_freezable();
-	while (!unloading) {
+	while (1) {
 		int status;
 
 		/*
@@ -586,8 +585,8 @@ static int __init pnpbios_thread_init(void)
 		struct task_struct *task;
 		init_completion(&unload_sem);
 		task = kthread_run(pnp_dock_thread, NULL, "kpnpbiosd");
-		if (!IS_ERR(task))
-			unloading = 0;
+		if (IS_ERR(task))
+			return PTR_ERR(task);
 	}
 #endif
 	return 0;