diff --git a/drivers/net/usb/asix_common.c b/drivers/net/usb/asix_common.c
index 00c23f1d1c94..8c613e3ea05a 100644
--- a/drivers/net/usb/asix_common.c
+++ b/drivers/net/usb/asix_common.c
@@ -333,6 +333,11 @@ int asix_read_phy_addr(struct usbnet *dev, bool internal)
 	offset = (internal ? 1 : 0);
 	ret = buf[offset];
 
+	if (ret >= PHY_MAX_ADDR) {
+		netdev_err(dev->net, "invalid PHY address: %d\n", ret);
+		return -ENODEV;
+	}
+
 	netdev_dbg(dev->net, "%s PHY address 0x%x\n",
 		   internal ? "internal" : "external", ret);