diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/atheros/alx/ethtool.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/atheros/alx/ethtool.c
index 6fa2aec2bc81..50a91d012bce 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/atheros/alx/ethtool.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/atheros/alx/ethtool.c
@@ -187,7 +187,8 @@ static int alx_set_pauseparam(struct net_device *netdev,
 
 	if (reconfig_phy) {
 		err = alx_setup_speed_duplex(hw, hw->adv_cfg, fc);
-		return err;
+		if (err)
+			return err;
 	}
 
 	/* flow control on mac */