diff --git a/kernel/trace/trace_probe.c b/kernel/trace/trace_probe.c
index 694f32d843d9..187b1fc403c1 100644
--- a/kernel/trace/trace_probe.c
+++ b/kernel/trace/trace_probe.c
@@ -656,7 +656,7 @@ static int parse_btf_arg(char *varname,
 		ret = query_btf_context(ctx);
 		if (ret < 0 || ctx->nr_params == 0) {
 			trace_probe_log_err(ctx->offset, NO_BTF_ENTRY);
-			return PTR_ERR(params);
+			return -ENOENT;
 		}
 	}
 	params = ctx->params;