diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/cavium/thunder/nic_main.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/cavium/thunder/nic_main.c
index 691e1475d55e..0fbecd093fa1 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/cavium/thunder/nic_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/cavium/thunder/nic_main.c
@@ -1193,7 +1193,7 @@ static int nic_register_interrupts(struct nicpf *nic)
 		dev_err(&nic->pdev->dev,
 			"Request for #%d msix vectors failed, returned %d\n",
 			   nic->num_vec, ret);
-		return 1;
+		return ret;
 	}
 
 	/* Register mailbox interrupt handler */