diff --git a/core.c b/core.c
index 6bcfd29..8a2b899 100644
--- a/core.c
+++ b/core.c
@@ -320,6 +320,7 @@
 			mctp_prerr("Failed to start binding: %d", rc);
 			__mctp_free(mctp->busses);
 			mctp->busses = NULL;
+			mctp->n_busses = 0;
 		}
 	}