diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/aquantia/atlantic/hw_atl/hw_atl_utils.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/aquantia/atlantic/hw_atl/hw_atl_utils.c
index 4f5ec9a0fbfb..bf734b32e44b 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/aquantia/atlantic/hw_atl/hw_atl_utils.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/aquantia/atlantic/hw_atl/hw_atl_utils.c
@@ -351,8 +351,7 @@ int hw_atl_utils_mpi_get_link_status(struct aq_hw_s *self)
 			break;
 
 		default:
-			link_status->mbps = 0U;
-			break;
+			return -EBUSY;
 		}
 	}