diff --git a/drivers/rtc/rtc-cmos.c b/drivers/rtc/rtc-cmos.c
index bb7a9bdbfc31..843e7d8b71dd 100644
--- a/drivers/rtc/rtc-cmos.c
+++ b/drivers/rtc/rtc-cmos.c
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ static int cmos_read_alarm(struct device *dev, struct rtc_wkalrm *t)
 
 	/* This not only a rtc_op, but also called directly */
 	if (!is_valid_irq(cmos->irq))
-		return -EIO;
+		return -ETIMEDOUT;
 
 	/* Basic alarms only support hour, minute, and seconds fields.
 	 * Some also support day and month, for alarms up to a year in
@@ -557,7 +557,7 @@ static int cmos_set_alarm(struct device *dev, struct rtc_wkalrm *t)
 	 * Use mc146818_avoid_UIP() to avoid this.
 	 */
 	if (!mc146818_avoid_UIP(cmos_set_alarm_callback, &p))
-		return -EIO;
+		return -ETIMEDOUT;
 
 	cmos->alarm_expires = rtc_tm_to_time64(&t->time);