diff --git a/lib/master.c b/lib/master.c
index ee6e5719..e0cf558f 100644
--- a/lib/master.c
+++ b/lib/master.c
@@ -715,11 +715,16 @@ int ecrt_master_reference_clock_time(ec_master_t *master, uint32_t *time)
 
     ret = ioctl(master->fd, EC_IOCTL_REF_CLOCK_TIME, time);
     if (EC_IOCTL_IS_ERROR(ret)) {
-        fprintf(stderr, "Failed to get reference clock time: %s\n",
-                strerror(EC_IOCTL_ERRNO(ret)));
+        ret = EC_IOCTL_ERRNO(ret);
+        if (ret != EIO && ret != ENXIO) {
+            // do not log if no refclk or no refclk time yet
+            fprintf(stderr, "Failed to get reference clock time: %s\n",
+                    strerror(ret));
+        }
+        return -ret;
     }
 
-    return ret;
+    return 0;
 }
 
 /****************************************************************************/