diff --git a/security/keys/process_keys.c b/security/keys/process_keys.c
index f8e7251ae2c8..504bdd2452bd 100644
--- a/security/keys/process_keys.c
+++ b/security/keys/process_keys.c
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ static int install_process_keyring(void)
 	ret = install_process_keyring_to_cred(new);
 	if (ret < 0) {
 		abort_creds(new);
-		return ret != -EEXIST ?: 0;
+		return ret != -EEXIST ? ret : 0;
 	}
 
 	return commit_creds(new);