diff --git a/drivers/gpio/gpiolib.c b/drivers/gpio/gpiolib.c
index 120b2a0e3167..de0213c9d11c 100644
--- a/drivers/gpio/gpiolib.c
+++ b/drivers/gpio/gpiolib.c
@@ -1186,7 +1186,7 @@ int gpio_request(unsigned gpio, const char *label)
 {
 	struct gpio_desc	*desc;
 	struct gpio_chip	*chip;
-	int			status = -EINVAL;
+	int			status = -EPROBE_DEFER;
 	unsigned long		flags;
 
 	spin_lock_irqsave(&gpio_lock, flags);