diff --git a/drivers/net/usb/asix_common.c b/drivers/net/usb/asix_common.c
index e39f41efda3e..7bc6e8f856fe 100644
--- a/drivers/net/usb/asix_common.c
+++ b/drivers/net/usb/asix_common.c
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ int asix_read_phy_addr(struct usbnet *dev, int internal)
 
 	netdev_dbg(dev->net, "asix_get_phy_addr()\n");
 
-	if (ret < 0) {
+	if (ret < 2) {
 		netdev_err(dev->net, "Error reading PHYID register: %02x\n", ret);
 		goto out;
 	}