diff --git a/drivers/misc/apds9802als.c b/drivers/misc/apds9802als.c
index 0314773f6db3..94923d259910 100644
--- a/drivers/misc/apds9802als.c
+++ b/drivers/misc/apds9802als.c
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ static int als_wait_for_data_ready(struct device *dev)
 		ret = i2c_smbus_read_byte_data(client, 0x86);
 	} while (!(ret & 0x80) && retry--);
 
-	if (!retry) {
+	if (retry < 0) {
 		dev_warn(dev, "timeout waiting for data ready\n");
 		return -ETIMEDOUT;
 	}