diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/cisco/airo.c b/drivers/net/wireless/cisco/airo.c
index 7c4cc5f5e1eb4..dbd13f7aa3e6e 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/cisco/airo.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/cisco/airo.c
@@ -6157,8 +6157,11 @@ static int airo_get_rate(struct net_device *dev,
 	struct iw_param *vwrq = &wrqu->bitrate;
 	struct airo_info *local = dev->ml_priv;
 	StatusRid status_rid;		/* Card status info */
+	int ret;
 
-	readStatusRid(local, &status_rid, 1);
+	ret = readStatusRid(local, &status_rid, 1);
+	if (ret)
+		return -EBUSY;
 
 	vwrq->value = le16_to_cpu(status_rid.currentXmitRate) * 500000;
 	/* If more than one rate, set auto */