diff --git a/examples/platforms/nrf528xx/src/transport/spi-slave.c b/examples/platforms/nrf528xx/src/transport/spi-slave.c
index 2c8219fb8..4e1a4636b 100644
--- a/examples/platforms/nrf528xx/src/transport/spi-slave.c
+++ b/examples/platforms/nrf528xx/src/transport/spi-slave.c
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ otError otPlatSpiSlavePrepareTransaction(uint8_t *aOutputBuf,
     assert(sCompleteCallback != NULL);
 
     otEXPECT_ACTION(((semaphore_status != NRF_SPIS_SEMSTAT_SPIS) && (semaphore_status != NRF_SPIS_SEMSTAT_CPUPENDING)),
-                    error = OT_ERROR_BUSY);
+                    result = OT_ERROR_BUSY);
 
     if (aOutputBuf != NULL)
     {