diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e1000e/ich8lan.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e1000e/ich8lan.c
index 31277d3bb7dc..ff308b05d68c 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e1000e/ich8lan.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e1000e/ich8lan.c
@@ -1602,7 +1602,7 @@ static s32 e1000_check_for_copper_link_ich8lan(struct e1000_hw *hw)
 	 * we have already determined whether we have link or not.
 	 */
 	if (!mac->autoneg)
-		return -E1000_ERR_CONFIG;
+		return 1;
 
 	/* Auto-Neg is enabled.  Auto Speed Detection takes care
 	 * of MAC speed/duplex configuration.  So we only need to
diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e1000e/mac.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e1000e/mac.c
index f457c5703d0c..db735644b312 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e1000e/mac.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e1000e/mac.c
@@ -450,7 +450,7 @@ s32 e1000e_check_for_copper_link(struct e1000_hw *hw)
 	 * we have already determined whether we have link or not.
 	 */
 	if (!mac->autoneg)
-		return -E1000_ERR_CONFIG;
+		return 1;
 
 	/* Auto-Neg is enabled.  Auto Speed Detection takes care
 	 * of MAC speed/duplex configuration.  So we only need to