diff --git a/drivers/misc/isl29020.c b/drivers/misc/isl29020.c
index 34fe835921c4..ca47e6285075 100644
--- a/drivers/misc/isl29020.c
+++ b/drivers/misc/isl29020.c
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ static ssize_t als_sensing_range_store(struct device *dev,
 		struct device_attribute *attr, const  char *buf, size_t count)
 {
 	struct i2c_client *client = to_i2c_client(dev);
-	unsigned int ret_val;
+	int ret_val;
 	unsigned long val;
 
 	if (strict_strtoul(buf, 10, &val))
@@ -106,6 +106,8 @@ static ssize_t als_sensing_range_store(struct device *dev,
 		val = 4;
 
 	ret_val = i2c_smbus_read_byte_data(client, 0x00);
+	if (ret_val < 0)
+		return ret_val;
 
 	ret_val &= 0xFC; /*reset the bit before setting them */
 	ret_val |= val - 1;