diff --git a/drivers/misc/mei/client.c b/drivers/misc/mei/client.c
index 77501e392cde..c70c89209fe5 100644
--- a/drivers/misc/mei/client.c
+++ b/drivers/misc/mei/client.c
@@ -2002,7 +2002,7 @@ ssize_t mei_cl_write(struct mei_cl *cl, struct mei_cl_cb *cb)
 
 	hbuf_slots = mei_hbuf_empty_slots(dev);
 	if (hbuf_slots < 0) {
-		rets = -EOVERFLOW;
+		buf_len = -EOVERFLOW;
 		goto out;
 	}