diff --git a/security/keys/key.c b/security/keys/key.c
index 455c04d80bbb..cbae368c0e57 100644
--- a/security/keys/key.c
+++ b/security/keys/key.c
@@ -966,12 +966,11 @@ int key_update(key_ref_t key_ref, const void *payload, size_t plen)
 	/* the key must be writable */
 	ret = key_permission(key_ref, KEY_NEED_WRITE);
 	if (ret < 0)
-		goto error;
+		return ret;
 
 	/* attempt to update it if supported */
-	ret = -EOPNOTSUPP;
 	if (!key->type->update)
-		goto error;
+		return -EOPNOTSUPP;
 
 	memset(&prep, 0, sizeof(prep));
 	prep.data = payload;