diff --git a/drivers/char/drm/i830_dma.c b/drivers/char/drm/i830_dma.c
index 2cf3cc5..4f0e574 100644
--- a/drivers/char/drm/i830_dma.c
+++ b/drivers/char/drm/i830_dma.c
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@
 	if (IS_ERR((void *)virtual)) {	/* ugh */
 		/* Real error */
 		DRM_ERROR("mmap error\n");
-		retcode = virtual;
+		retcode = PTR_ERR((void *)virtual);
 		buf_priv->virtual = NULL;
 	} else {
 		buf_priv->virtual = (void __user *)virtual;