diff --git a/samples/kprobes/kretprobe_example.c b/samples/kprobes/kretprobe_example.c
index 5dc1bf3baa98..228321ecb161 100644
--- a/samples/kprobes/kretprobe_example.c
+++ b/samples/kprobes/kretprobe_example.c
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ static int __init kretprobe_init(void)
 	ret = register_kretprobe(&my_kretprobe);
 	if (ret < 0) {
 		pr_err("register_kretprobe failed, returned %d\n", ret);
-		return -1;
+		return ret;
 	}
 	pr_info("Planted return probe at %s: %p\n",
 			my_kretprobe.kp.symbol_name, my_kretprobe.kp.addr);