The original code is very clear, the new code works exactly the same but
it's not clear if the author forgot about handling errors from
audit_log_start().

We have got different expectations on source code clarity here.

So now someone will come along later and add:
	if (!ab)
		return;

We get a lot of mindless "add error handling" patches like that.

This is an interesting background information.

Do you eventually prefer to improve the affected error detection
and corresponding exception handling?
Will a condition check become absolutely necessary there?

Regards,
Markus