diff --git a/net/bluetooth/l2cap_core.c b/net/bluetooth/l2cap_core.c
index 0b236e977d70..a5038160675e 100644
--- a/net/bluetooth/l2cap_core.c
+++ b/net/bluetooth/l2cap_core.c
@@ -5096,7 +5096,8 @@ static inline int l2cap_ecred_conn_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;
 		goto unlock;
 	}