diff --git a/net/bluetooth/l2cap_core.c b/net/bluetooth/l2cap_core.c
index 874f12d93bfa..dc9edf8fc336 100644
--- a/net/bluetooth/l2cap_core.c
+++ b/net/bluetooth/l2cap_core.c
@@ -5578,7 +5578,8 @@ static int l2cap_le_connect_req(struct l2cap_conn *conn,
 
 	if (!smp_sufficient_security(conn->hcon, pchan->sec_level,
 				     SMP_ALLOW_STK)) {
-		result = L2CAP_CR_LE_AUTHENTICATION;
+		result = pchan->sec_level == BT_SECURITY_MEDIUM ?
+			L2CAP_CR_LE_ENCRYPTION : L2CAP_CR_LE_AUTHENTICATION;
 		chan = NULL;
 		goto response_unlock;
 	}