diff --git a/drivers/platform/x86/thinkpad_acpi.c b/drivers/platform/x86/thinkpad_acpi.c
index e305ab541a22..9255ff3ee81a 100644
--- a/drivers/platform/x86/thinkpad_acpi.c
+++ b/drivers/platform/x86/thinkpad_acpi.c
@@ -7972,10 +7972,12 @@ static int fan_get_status_safe(u8 *status)
 		fan_update_desired_level(s);
 	mutex_unlock(&fan_mutex);
 
+	if (rc)
+		return rc;
 	if (status)
 		*status = s;
 
-	return rc;
+	return 0;
 }
 
 static int fan_get_speed(unsigned int *speed)