diff --git a/hw/phb3.c b/hw/phb3.c
index da54bd07957d..27bbe94e49d7 100644
--- a/hw/phb3.c
+++ b/hw/phb3.c
@@ -2643,9 +2643,8 @@ static int64_t phb3_creset(struct pci_slot *slot)
 		       slot->state);
 	}
 
-	/* Mark the PHB as dead and expect it to be removed */
 error:
-	p->state = PHB3_STATE_BROKEN;
+	p->state = PHB3_STATE_FENCED;
 	return OPAL_HARDWARE;
 }