diff --git a/drivers/rtc/rtc-hym8563.c b/drivers/rtc/rtc-hym8563.c
index 443f6d05ce29..fb6d7967ec00 100644
--- a/drivers/rtc/rtc-hym8563.c
+++ b/drivers/rtc/rtc-hym8563.c
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ static int hym8563_rtc_read_time(struct device *dev, struct rtc_time *tm)
 
 	if (!hym8563->valid) {
 		dev_warn(&client->dev, "no valid clock/calendar values available\n");
-		return -EPERM;
+		return -EINVAL;
 	}
 
 	ret = i2c_smbus_read_i2c_block_data(client, HYM8563_SEC, 7, buf);