diff --git a/drivers/platform/x86/dell-laptop.c b/drivers/platform/x86/dell-laptop.c
index c608b1d33f4a60893a3bdc87b52773f872259f6d..9d7d6a02ae075c725f26f24ffd6873d58ac6aa17 100644
--- a/drivers/platform/x86/dell-laptop.c
+++ b/drivers/platform/x86/dell-laptop.c
@@ -684,7 +684,7 @@ static int dell_send_intensity(struct backlight_device *bd)
 
 out:
 	release_buffer();
-	return 0;
+	return ret;
 }
 
 static int dell_get_intensity(struct backlight_device *bd)