diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/i40e/i40e_main.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/i40e/i40e_main.c
index cf0761f08911..71dfd79f391a 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/i40e/i40e_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/i40e/i40e_main.c
@@ -4310,7 +4310,7 @@ int i40e_vsi_open(struct i40e_vsi *vsi)
 		goto err_setup_rx;
 
 	if (!vsi->netdev) {
-		err = EINVAL;
+		err = -EINVAL;
 		goto err_setup_rx;
 	}
 	snprintf(int_name, sizeof(int_name) - 1, "%s-%s",