diff --git a/drivers/infiniband/hw/bnxt_re/qplib_rcfw.c b/drivers/infiniband/hw/bnxt_re/qplib_rcfw.c
index 75e0c42f6f42..14c9af41faa6 100644
--- a/drivers/infiniband/hw/bnxt_re/qplib_rcfw.c
+++ b/drivers/infiniband/hw/bnxt_re/qplib_rcfw.c
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ int bnxt_qplib_rcfw_send_message(struct bnxt_qplib_rcfw *rcfw,
 		/* failed with status */
 		dev_err(&rcfw->pdev->dev, "cmdq[%#x]=%#x status %#x\n",
 			cookie, opcode, evnt->status);
-		rc = -EFAULT;
+		rc = -EIO;
 	}
 
 	return rc;