diff --git a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_iocb.c b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_iocb.c
index 4f48f098ea5a..605e94f97318 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_iocb.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_iocb.c
@@ -3898,7 +3898,7 @@ qla2x00_start_sp(srb_t *sp)
 
 	pkt = __qla2x00_alloc_iocbs(sp->qpair, sp);
 	if (!pkt) {
-		rval = EAGAIN;
+		rval = -EAGAIN;
 		ql_log(ql_log_warn, vha, 0x700c,
 		    "qla2x00_alloc_iocbs failed.\n");
 		goto done;