diff --git a/kernel/printk/printk.c b/kernel/printk/printk.c
index 23e26a203a9e..bb2198b40756 100644
--- a/kernel/printk/printk.c
+++ b/kernel/printk/printk.c
@@ -146,8 +146,10 @@ static int __control_devkmsg(char *str)
 
 static int __init control_devkmsg(char *str)
 {
-	if (__control_devkmsg(str) < 0)
+	if (__control_devkmsg(str) < 0) {
+		pr_warn("printk.devkmsg: bad option string '%s'\n", str);
 		return 1;
+	}
 
 	/*
 	 * Set sysctl string accordingly:
@@ -166,7 +168,7 @@ static int __init control_devkmsg(char *str)
 	 */
 	devkmsg_log |= DEVKMSG_LOG_MASK_LOCK;
 
-	return 0;
+	return 1;
 }
 __setup("printk.devkmsg=", control_devkmsg);