diff --git a/drivers/net/usb/smsc95xx.c b/drivers/net/usb/smsc95xx.c
index 563ecd27b93e..0c875d18e93f 100644
--- a/drivers/net/usb/smsc95xx.c
+++ b/drivers/net/usb/smsc95xx.c
@@ -95,7 +95,9 @@ static int __must_check smsc95xx_read_reg(struct usbnet *dev, u32 index,
 	ret = fn(dev, USB_VENDOR_REQUEST_READ_REGISTER, USB_DIR_IN
 		 | USB_TYPE_VENDOR | USB_RECIP_DEVICE,
 		 0, index, &buf, 4);
-	if (ret < 0) {
+	if (ret < 4) {
+		ret = ret < 0 ? ret : -ENODATA;
+
 		if (ret != -ENODEV)
 			netdev_warn(dev->net, "Failed to read reg index 0x%08x: %d\n",
 				    index, ret);