diff --git a/drivers/net/dsa/mt7530.c b/drivers/net/dsa/mt7530.c
index 55131bfd11f6..5ff203fba37e 100644
--- a/drivers/net/dsa/mt7530.c
+++ b/drivers/net/dsa/mt7530.c
@@ -124,8 +124,12 @@ core_rmw(struct mt7530_priv *priv, u32 reg, u32 mask, u32 set)
 		goto err;
 
 	/* Read the content of the MMD's selected register */
-	val = bus->read(bus, MT753X_CTRL_PHY_ADDR(priv->mdiodev->addr),
+	ret = bus->read(bus, MT753X_CTRL_PHY_ADDR(priv->mdiodev->addr),
 			MII_MMD_DATA);
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto err;
+	val = ret;
+
 	val &= ~mask;
 	val |= set;
 	/* Write the data into MMD's selected register */