diff --git a/examples/protocols/websocket/main/websocket_example.c b/examples/protocols/websocket/main/websocket_example.c
index d14b02660..ffe49ff34 100644
--- a/examples/protocols/websocket/main/websocket_example.c
+++ b/examples/protocols/websocket/main/websocket_example.c
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ void app_main(void)
     esp_log_level_set("TRANS_TCP", ESP_LOG_DEBUG);
 
     ESP_ERROR_CHECK(nvs_flash_init());
-    esp_netif_init();
+    ESP_ERROR_CHECK(esp_netif_init());
     ESP_ERROR_CHECK(esp_event_loop_create_default());
 
     /* This helper function configures Wi-Fi or Ethernet, as selected in menuconfig.