diff --git a/drivers/net/e1000e/phy.c b/drivers/net/e1000e/phy.c
index 03175b3..95a8196 100644
--- a/drivers/net/e1000e/phy.c
+++ b/drivers/net/e1000e/phy.c
@@ -3137,7 +3137,7 @@
 	         I82577_DSTATUS_CABLE_LENGTH_SHIFT;
 
 	if (length == E1000_CABLE_LENGTH_UNDEFINED)
-		ret_val = E1000_ERR_PHY;
+		ret_val = -E1000_ERR_PHY;
 
 	phy->cable_length = length;