diff --git a/Documentation/DMA-API-HOWTO.txt b/Documentation/DMA-API-HOWTO.txt
index 494ffac655ee..979228bc9035 100644
--- a/Documentation/DMA-API-HOWTO.txt
+++ b/Documentation/DMA-API-HOWTO.txt
@@ -699,7 +699,7 @@ to use the dma_sync_*() interfaces.
 		dma_addr_t mapping;
 
 		mapping = dma_map_single(cp->dev, buffer, len, DMA_FROM_DEVICE);
-		if (dma_mapping_error(cp->dev, dma_handle)) {
+		if (dma_mapping_error(cp->dev, mapping)) {
 			/*
 			 * reduce current DMA mapping usage,
 			 * delay and try again later or