diff --git a/sound/i2c/other/ak4114.c b/sound/i2c/other/ak4114.c
index 5a4cf3fab4ae8..d53c9bb36281f 100644
--- a/sound/i2c/other/ak4114.c
+++ b/sound/i2c/other/ak4114.c
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ int snd_ak4114_create(struct snd_card *card,
 
       __fail:
 	snd_ak4114_free(chip);
-	return err < 0 ? err : -EIO;
+	return err;
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL(snd_ak4114_create);