diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/i825xx/sni_82596.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/i825xx/sni_82596.c
index 43c1fd18670b..a990e606ecaa 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/i825xx/sni_82596.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/i825xx/sni_82596.c
@@ -122,9 +122,10 @@ static int sni_82596_probe(struct platform_device *dev)
 	netdevice->dev_addr[5] = readb(eth_addr + 0x06);
 	iounmap(eth_addr);
 
-	if (!netdevice->irq) {
+	if (netdevice->irq < 0) {
 		printk(KERN_ERR "%s: IRQ not found for i82596 at 0x%lx\n",
 			__FILE__, netdevice->base_addr);
+		retval = netdevice->irq;
 		goto probe_failed;
 	}