diff --git a/drivers/net/tulip/xircom_cb.c b/drivers/net/tulip/xircom_cb.c
index 8fc7274642eb..6b93d0169116 100644
--- a/drivers/net/tulip/xircom_cb.c
+++ b/drivers/net/tulip/xircom_cb.c
@@ -441,7 +441,7 @@ static int xircom_start_xmit(struct sk_buff *skb, struct net_device *dev)
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&card->lock,flags);
 	trigger_transmit(card);
 
-	return -EIO;
+	return NETDEV_TX_BUSY;
 }