diff --git a/drivers/i3c/master/svc-i3c-master.c b/drivers/i3c/master/svc-i3c-master.c
index e80c002991f7..0a68fd1b81d4 100644
--- a/drivers/i3c/master/svc-i3c-master.c
+++ b/drivers/i3c/master/svc-i3c-master.c
@@ -874,7 +874,7 @@ static int svc_i3c_master_do_daa_locked(struct svc_i3c_master *master,
 				 * address this time.
 				 */
 				if (prov_id[dev_nb] == nacking_prov_id) {
-					ret = EIO;
+					ret = -EIO;
 					break;
 				}