diff --git a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_target.c b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_target.c
index c2c0e6049da4..f2bb841c2059 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_target.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_target.c
@@ -5668,7 +5668,7 @@ static int qlt_chk_unresolv_exchg(struct scsi_qla_host *vha,
 		/* found existing exchange */
 		qpair->retry_term_cnt++;
 		if (qpair->retry_term_cnt >= 5) {
-			rc = EIO;
+			rc = -EIO;
 			qpair->retry_term_cnt = 0;
 			ql_log(ql_log_warn, vha, 0xffff,
 			    "Unable to send ABTS Respond. Dumping firmware.\n");