diff --git a/libcontainer/cgroups/systemd/common.go b/libcontainer/cgroups/systemd/common.go
index 5d561face..e3e0dabd8 100644
--- a/libcontainer/cgroups/systemd/common.go
+++ b/libcontainer/cgroups/systemd/common.go
@@ -370,7 +370,10 @@ retry:
 			// In case a unit with the same name exists, this may
 			// be a leftover failed unit. Reset it, so systemd can
 			// remove it, and retry once.
-			resetFailedUnit(cm, unitName)
+			err = resetFailedUnit(cm, unitName)
+			if err != nil {
+				logrus.Warnf("unable to reset failed unit: %v", err)
+			}
 			retry = false
 			goto retry
 		}
@@ -385,11 +388,11 @@ retry:
 		close(statusChan)
 		// Please refer to https://pkg.go.dev/github.com/coreos/go-systemd/v22/dbus#Conn.StartUnit
 		if s != "done" {
-			resetFailedUnit(cm, unitName)
+			_ = resetFailedUnit(cm, unitName)
 			return fmt.Errorf("error creating systemd unit `%s`: got `%s`", unitName, s)
 		}
 	case <-timeout.C:
-		resetFailedUnit(cm, unitName)
+		_ = resetFailedUnit(cm, unitName)
 		return errors.New("Timeout waiting for systemd to create " + unitName)
 	}
 
@@ -420,13 +423,10 @@ func stopUnit(cm *dbusConnManager, unitName string) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func resetFailedUnit(cm *dbusConnManager, name string) {
-	err := cm.retryOnDisconnect(func(c *systemdDbus.Conn) error {
+func resetFailedUnit(cm *dbusConnManager, name string) error {
+	return cm.retryOnDisconnect(func(c *systemdDbus.Conn) error {
 		return c.ResetFailedUnitContext(context.TODO(), name)
 	})
-	if err != nil {
-		logrus.Warnf("unable to reset failed unit: %v", err)
-	}
 }
 
 func getUnitTypeProperty(cm *dbusConnManager, unitName string, unitType string, propertyName string) (*systemdDbus.Property, error) {