diff --git a/drivers/md/dm-crypt.c b/drivers/md/dm-crypt.c
index dbf13bd1d219..98622a15df30 100644
--- a/drivers/md/dm-crypt.c
+++ b/drivers/md/dm-crypt.c
@@ -2908,7 +2908,7 @@ static int crypt_ctr_cipher_new(struct dm_target *ti, char *cipher_in, char *key
 		ret = crypt_ctr_auth_cipher(cc, cipher_api);
 		if (ret < 0) {
 			ti->error = "Invalid AEAD cipher spec";
-			return -ENOMEM;
+			return ret;
 		}
 	}