diff --git a/sys/dev/nvme/nvme_ns.c b/sys/dev/nvme/nvme_ns.c
--- a/sys/dev/nvme/nvme_ns.c
+++ b/sys/dev/nvme/nvme_ns.c
@@ -561,16 +561,14 @@
 	if (ns->data.nsze == 0)
 		return (ENXIO);
 
-	flbas_fmt = NVMEV(NVME_NS_DATA_FLBAS_FORMAT, ns->data.flbas);
-
 	/*
-	 * Note: format is a 0-based value, so > is appropriate here,
-	 *  not >=.
+	 * Check the validity of the format specified. Note: format is a 0-based
+	 * value, so > is appropriate here, not >=.
 	 */
+	flbas_fmt = NVMEV(NVME_NS_DATA_FLBAS_FORMAT, ns->data.flbas);
 	if (flbas_fmt > ns->data.nlbaf) {
-		nvme_printf(ctrlr,
-		    "lba format %d exceeds number supported (%d)\n",
-		    flbas_fmt, ns->data.nlbaf + 1);
+		nvme_printf(ctrlr, "nsid %d lba format %d invalid (> %d)\n",
+		    id, flbas_fmt, ns->data.nlbaf + 1);
 		return (ENXIO);
 	}