diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/timers/posix_timers.c b/tools/testing/selftests/timers/posix_timers.c
index 4fa655d68a81..41bd85559d4b 100644
--- a/tools/testing/selftests/timers/posix_timers.c
+++ b/tools/testing/selftests/timers/posix_timers.c
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ static int check_timer_create(int which)
 	fflush(stdout);
 
 	done = 0;
-	timer_create(which, NULL, &id);
+	err = timer_create(which, NULL, &id);
 	if (err < 0) {
 		perror("Can't create timer\n");
 		return -1;