diff --git a/drivers/net/usb/smsc95xx.c b/drivers/net/usb/smsc95xx.c
index 9a770f7fa5b0..7c579b038be7 100644
--- a/drivers/net/usb/smsc95xx.c
+++ b/drivers/net/usb/smsc95xx.c
@@ -1040,7 +1040,7 @@ static int smsc95xx_reset(struct usbnet *dev)
 
 	if (timeout >= 100) {
 		netdev_warn(dev->net, "timeout waiting for completion of Lite Reset\n");
-		return ret;
+		return -ETIMEDOUT;
 	}
 
 	ret = smsc95xx_write_reg(dev, PM_CTRL, PM_CTL_PHY_RST_);