diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/intersil/orinoco/hw.c b/drivers/net/wireless/intersil/orinoco/hw.c
index 0aea35c9c11c..4fcca08e50de 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/intersil/orinoco/hw.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/intersil/orinoco/hw.c
@@ -931,6 +931,8 @@ int __orinoco_hw_setup_enc(struct orinoco_private *priv)
 			err = hermes_write_wordrec(hw, USER_BAP,
 					HERMES_RID_CNFAUTHENTICATION_AGERE,
 					auth_flag);
+			if (err)
+				return err;
 		}
 		err = hermes_write_wordrec(hw, USER_BAP,
 					   HERMES_RID_CNFWEPENABLED_AGERE,