diff --git a/fs/romfs/fs_romfs.c b/fs/romfs/fs_romfs.c
index 54ac0adcf4e..5eba67f9045 100644
--- a/fs/romfs/fs_romfs.c
+++ b/fs/romfs/fs_romfs.c
@@ -492,7 +492,7 @@ static ssize_t romfs_read(FAR struct file *filep, FAR char *buffer,
 
 errout_with_lock:
   nxrmutex_unlock(&rm->rm_lock);
-  return ret < 0 ? ret : readsize;
+  return readsize ? readsize : ret;
 }
 
 /****************************************************************************