diff --git a/hal/audio_extn/sndmonitor.c b/hal/audio_extn/sndmonitor.c
index a0bd6d3..6fa7396 100644
--- a/hal/audio_extn/sndmonitor.c
+++ b/hal/audio_extn/sndmonitor.c
@@ -159,11 +159,11 @@
     s->fd = fd; // dup?
 
     char *state = read_state(fd);
-#if (LINUX_VERSION_CODE < KERNEL_VERSION(5, 15, 0))
     if (!state) {
         free(s);
         return -1;
     }
+#if (LINUX_VERSION_CODE < KERNEL_VERSION(5, 15, 0))
     bool online = state && !strcmp(state, "ONLINE");
 
     if (state)