diff --git a/sound/isa/sb/sb_common.c b/sound/isa/sb/sb_common.c
index 162338f1b68a..ff031d670400 100644
--- a/sound/isa/sb/sb_common.c
+++ b/sound/isa/sb/sb_common.c
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ int snd_sbdsp_reset(struct snd_sb *chip)
 
 static int snd_sbdsp_version(struct snd_sb * chip)
 {
-	unsigned int result = -ENODEV;
+	unsigned int result;
 
 	snd_sbdsp_command(chip, SB_DSP_GET_VERSION);
 	result = (short) snd_sbdsp_get_byte(chip) << 8;