diff --git a/include/linux/regulator/consumer.h b/include/linux/regulator/consumer.h
index e530681bea70..1a4a8c157b31 100644
--- a/include/linux/regulator/consumer.h
+++ b/include/linux/regulator/consumer.h
@@ -258,14 +258,14 @@ regulator_get_exclusive(struct device *dev, const char *id)
 static inline struct regulator *__must_check
 regulator_get_optional(struct device *dev, const char *id)
 {
-	return NULL;
+	return ERR_PTR(-ENODEV);
 }
 
 
 static inline struct regulator *__must_check
 devm_regulator_get_optional(struct device *dev, const char *id)
 {
-	return NULL;
+	return ERR_PTR(-ENODEV);
 }
 
 static inline void regulator_put(struct regulator *regulator)