diff --git a/fs/smb/client/file.c b/fs/smb/client/file.c
index 1374635e89fa..6178c6d8097d 100644
--- a/fs/smb/client/file.c
+++ b/fs/smb/client/file.c
@@ -2877,6 +2877,7 @@ cifs_strict_readv(struct kiocb *iocb, struct iov_iter *to)
 		rc = netfs_start_io_direct(inode);
 		if (rc < 0)
 			goto out;
+		rc = -EACCES;
 		down_read(&cinode->lock_sem);
 		if (!cifs_find_lock_conflict(
 			    cfile, iocb->ki_pos, iov_iter_count(to),
@@ -2889,6 +2890,7 @@ cifs_strict_readv(struct kiocb *iocb, struct iov_iter *to)
 		rc = netfs_start_io_read(inode);
 		if (rc < 0)
 			goto out;
+		rc = -EACCES;
 		down_read(&cinode->lock_sem);
 		if (!cifs_find_lock_conflict(
 			    cfile, iocb->ki_pos, iov_iter_count(to),