diff --git a/fs/btrfs/file.c b/fs/btrfs/file.c
index 3786eca..a85b044 100644
--- a/fs/btrfs/file.c
+++ b/fs/btrfs/file.c
@@ -608,6 +608,8 @@
 	key.offset = split;
 
 	ret = btrfs_search_slot(trans, root, &key, path, -1, 1);
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto out;
 	if (ret > 0 && path->slots[0] > 0)
 		path->slots[0]--;