diff --git a/components/bt/esp_ble_mesh/mesh_core/nimble_host/mesh_bearer_adapt.c b/components/bt/esp_ble_mesh/mesh_core/nimble_host/mesh_bearer_adapt.c
index e58864080c..8602f7cd87 100644
--- a/components/bt/esp_ble_mesh/mesh_core/nimble_host/mesh_bearer_adapt.c
+++ b/components/bt/esp_ble_mesh/mesh_core/nimble_host/mesh_bearer_adapt.c
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ int bt_mesh_host_init(void)
     int rc;
 
     if (init == true) {
-        return 0;
+        return -EALREADY;
     }
 
     rc = btc_init();