diff --git a/src/compiler/glsl/gl_nir_link_varyings.c b/src/compiler/glsl/gl_nir_link_varyings.c
index e3ba6fb2812..629cd8b8db4 100644
--- a/src/compiler/glsl/gl_nir_link_varyings.c
+++ b/src/compiler/glsl/gl_nir_link_varyings.c
@@ -4390,7 +4390,7 @@ link_varyings(struct gl_shader_program *prog, unsigned first,
                              has_xfb_qualifiers, mem_ctx))
       return false;
 
-   return true;
+   return prog->data->LinkStatus != LINKING_FAILURE;
 }
 
 /**