diff --git a/hardware/rigol-ds/api.c b/hardware/rigol-ds/api.c
index f61d58ca..ae14f067 100644
--- a/hardware/rigol-ds/api.c
+++ b/hardware/rigol-ds/api.c
@@ -482,8 +482,8 @@ static int dev_close(struct sr_dev_inst *sdi)
 	struct sr_scpi_dev_inst *scpi;
 	struct dev_context *devc;
 
-	if (sdi->status != SR_ST_INACTIVE)
-		return SR_OK;
+	if (sdi->status != SR_ST_ACTIVE)
+		return SR_ERR_DEV_CLOSED;
 
 	scpi = sdi->conn;
 	devc = sdi->priv;