diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlegacy/4965-mac.c b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlegacy/4965-mac.c
index 10fc2493f415..f1dc04006564 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlegacy/4965-mac.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlegacy/4965-mac.c
@@ -6556,6 +6556,7 @@ il4965_pci_probe(struct pci_dev *pdev, const struct pci_device_id *ent)
 	il4965_prepare_card_hw(il);
 	if (!il->hw_ready) {
 		IL_WARN("Failed, HW not ready\n");
+		err = -EIO;
 		goto out_iounmap;
 	}