diff --git a/drivers/net/ieee802154/cc2520.c b/drivers/net/ieee802154/cc2520.c
index 0432a4f829a9..9739a6ed91ad 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ieee802154/cc2520.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ieee802154/cc2520.c
@@ -973,7 +973,7 @@ static int cc2520_hw_init(struct cc2520_private *priv)
 
 		if (timeout-- <= 0) {
 			dev_err(&priv->spi->dev, "oscillator start failed!\n");
-			return ret;
+			return -ETIMEDOUT;
 		}
 		udelay(1);
 	} while (!(status & CC2520_STATUS_XOSC32M_STABLE));