diff --git a/ports/atmel-samd/common-hal/busio/UART.c b/ports/atmel-samd/common-hal/busio/UART.c
index a95ccf3acc..090232b410 100644
--- a/ports/atmel-samd/common-hal/busio/UART.c
+++ b/ports/atmel-samd/common-hal/busio/UART.c
@@ -269,6 +269,11 @@ size_t common_hal_busio_uart_read(busio_uart_obj_t *self, uint8_t *data, size_t
 #endif
     }
 
+    if (total_read == 0) {
+        *errcode = EAGAIN;
+        return MP_STREAM_ERROR;
+    }
+
     return total_read;
 }