diff --git a/sound/core/control.c b/sound/core/control.c
index 4373de42a5a0..3b44378b9dec 100644
--- a/sound/core/control.c
+++ b/sound/core/control.c
@@ -1539,7 +1539,7 @@ static int snd_ctl_elem_add(struct snd_ctl_file *file,
 
  unlock:
 	up_write(&card->controls_rwsem);
-	return 0;
+	return err;
 }
 
 static int snd_ctl_elem_add_user(struct snd_ctl_file *file,