diff --git a/compiler/rustc_ty_utils/src/abi.rs b/compiler/rustc_ty_utils/src/abi.rs
index f98f161e80938..4bee120db8c35 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_ty_utils/src/abi.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_ty_utils/src/abi.rs
@@ -315,13 +315,18 @@ fn arg_attrs_for_rust_scalar<'tcx>(
             attrs.pointee_align =
                 Some(pointee.align.min(cx.tcx().sess.target.max_reliable_alignment()));
 
-            // `Box` are not necessarily dereferenceable for the entire duration of the function as
-            // they can be deallocated at any time. Same for non-frozen shared references (see
-            // <https://github.com/rust-lang/rust/pull/98017>), and for mutable references to
-            // potentially self-referential types (see
-            // <https://github.com/rust-lang/unsafe-code-guidelines/issues/381>). If LLVM had a way
-            // to say "dereferenceable on entry" we could use it here.
             attrs.pointee_size = match kind {
+                // LLVM dereferenceable attribute has unclear semantics on the return type,
+                // they seem to be "dereferenceable until the end of the program", which is
+                // generally, not valid for references. See
+                // <https://rust-lang.zulipchat.com/#narrow/channel/136281-t-opsem/topic/LLVM.20dereferenceable.20on.20return.20type/with/563001493>
+                _ if is_return => Size::ZERO,
+                // `Box` are not necessarily dereferenceable for the entire duration of the function as
+                // they can be deallocated at any time. Same for non-frozen shared references (see
+                // <https://github.com/rust-lang/rust/pull/98017>), and for mutable references to
+                // potentially self-referential types (see
+                // <https://github.com/rust-lang/unsafe-code-guidelines/issues/381>). If LLVM had a way
+                // to say "dereferenceable on entry" we could use it here.
                 PointerKind::Box { .. }
                 | PointerKind::SharedRef { frozen: false }
                 | PointerKind::MutableRef { unpin: false } => Size::ZERO,
diff --git a/tests/codegen-llvm/function-arguments.rs b/tests/codegen-llvm/function-arguments.rs
index 953b654555d53..4d557470504e0 100644
--- a/tests/codegen-llvm/function-arguments.rs
+++ b/tests/codegen-llvm/function-arguments.rs
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ pub fn option_nonzero_int(x: Option<NonZero<u64>>) -> Option<NonZero<u64>> {
 #[no_mangle]
 pub fn readonly_borrow(_: &i32) {}
 
-// CHECK: noundef align 4 dereferenceable(4) ptr @readonly_borrow_ret()
+// CHECK: noundef nonnull align 4 ptr @readonly_borrow_ret()
 #[no_mangle]
 pub fn readonly_borrow_ret() -> &'static i32 {
     loop {}
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ pub fn mutable_unsafe_borrow(_: &mut UnsafeInner) {}
 #[no_mangle]
 pub fn mutable_borrow(_: &mut i32) {}
 
-// CHECK: noundef align 4 dereferenceable(4) ptr @mutable_borrow_ret()
+// CHECK: noundef nonnull align 4 ptr @mutable_borrow_ret()
 #[no_mangle]
 pub fn mutable_borrow_ret() -> &'static mut i32 {
     loop {}