diff --git a/drivers/net/usb/smsc75xx.c b/drivers/net/usb/smsc75xx.c
index 5d6454fedb3f..78ad2da3ee29 100644
--- a/drivers/net/usb/smsc75xx.c
+++ b/drivers/net/usb/smsc75xx.c
@@ -90,7 +90,9 @@ static int __must_check __smsc75xx_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 (unlikely(ret < 0)) {
+	if (unlikely(ret < 4)) {
+		ret = ret < 0 ? ret : -ENODATA;
+
 		netdev_warn(dev->net, "Failed to read reg index 0x%08x: %d\n",
 			    index, ret);
 		return ret;