diff --git a/drivers/gpio/gpio_pcal64xxa.c b/drivers/gpio/gpio_pcal64xxa.c
index 3fb7d560feae518..83537c370dd4e94 100644
--- a/drivers/gpio/gpio_pcal64xxa.c
+++ b/drivers/gpio/gpio_pcal64xxa.c
@@ -192,7 +192,8 @@ static int pcal64xxa_process_input(const struct device *dev, gpio_port_value_t *
 
 	if (rc != 0) {
 		LOG_ERR("failed to read inputs from device %s", dev->name);
-		return rc;
+		k_sem_give(&drv_data->lock);
+		return rc
 	}
 
 	if (value) {