diff --git a/drivers/iio/adc/ad7266.c b/drivers/iio/adc/ad7266.c
index 353a97f9c086..13ea8a1073d2 100644
--- a/drivers/iio/adc/ad7266.c
+++ b/drivers/iio/adc/ad7266.c
@@ -157,6 +157,8 @@ static int ad7266_read_raw(struct iio_dev *indio_dev,
 		ret = ad7266_read_single(st, val, chan->address);
 		iio_device_release_direct_mode(indio_dev);
 
+		if (ret < 0)
+			return ret;
 		*val = (*val >> 2) & 0xfff;
 		if (chan->scan_type.sign == 's')
 			*val = sign_extend32(*val,