diff --git a/drivers/extcon/extcon-class.c b/drivers/extcon/extcon-class.c
index d398821097f..60adc04b056 100644
--- a/drivers/extcon/extcon-class.c
+++ b/drivers/extcon/extcon-class.c
@@ -472,7 +472,7 @@ int extcon_register_interest(struct extcon_specific_cable_nb *obj,
 
 		obj->cable_index = extcon_find_cable_index(obj->edev, cable_name);
 		if (obj->cable_index < 0)
-			return -ENODEV;
+			return obj->cable_index;
 
 		obj->user_nb = nb;