diff --git a/hw/isa/i82378.c b/hw/isa/i82378.c
index 79ffbb52a0..203b92c264 100644
--- a/hw/isa/i82378.c
+++ b/hw/isa/i82378.c
@@ -105,7 +105,9 @@ static void i82378_realize(PCIDevice *pci, Error **errp)
     /* speaker */
     pcspk = isa_new(TYPE_PC_SPEAKER);
     object_property_set_link(OBJECT(pcspk), "pit", OBJECT(pit), &error_fatal);
-    isa_realize_and_unref(pcspk, isabus, &error_fatal);
+    if (!isa_realize_and_unref(pcspk, isabus, errp)) {
+        return;
+    }
 
     /* 2 82C37 (dma) */
     isa_create_simple(isabus, "i82374");