diff --git a/drivers/usb/core/driver.c b/drivers/usb/core/driver.c
index fca61720b873..38072e4e74bd 100644
--- a/drivers/usb/core/driver.c
+++ b/drivers/usb/core/driver.c
@@ -1659,6 +1659,11 @@ static int usb_runtime_suspend(struct device *dev)
 		return -EAGAIN;
 
 	status = usb_suspend_both(udev, PMSG_AUTO_SUSPEND);
+	/* The PM core reacts badly unless the return code is 0,
+	 * -EAGAIN, or -EBUSY, so always return -EBUSY on an error.
+	 */
+	if (status != 0)
+		return -EBUSY;
 	return status;
 }