diff --git a/net/tcp/tcp_send_buffered.c b/net/tcp/tcp_send_buffered.c
index 62651169c5..3c1d35016f 100644
--- a/net/tcp/tcp_send_buffered.c
+++ b/net/tcp/tcp_send_buffered.c
@@ -1549,6 +1549,12 @@ ssize_t psock_tcp_send(FAR struct socket *psock, FAR const void *buf,
             {
               iob_free_chain(iob);
             }
+          else
+            {
+              nerr("ERROR: no IOB available\n");
+              ret = -EAGAIN;
+              goto errout_with_lock;
+            }
         }
 
       /* Dump I/O buffer chain */