diff --git a/drivers/tty/serial/8250/8250_core.c b/drivers/tty/serial/8250/8250_core.c
index 01cecd52b909..5521ff83303f 100644
--- a/drivers/tty/serial/8250/8250_core.c
+++ b/drivers/tty/serial/8250/8250_core.c
@@ -3535,6 +3535,9 @@ static struct console univ8250_console = {
 
 static int __init univ8250_console_init(void)
 {
+	if (nr_uarts == 0)
+		return -ENODEV;
+
 	serial8250_isa_init_ports();
 	register_console(&univ8250_console);
 	return 0;
@@ -3565,7 +3568,7 @@ int __init early_serial_setup(struct uart_port *port)
 {
 	struct uart_port *p;
 
-	if (port->line >= ARRAY_SIZE(serial8250_ports))
+	if (port->line >= ARRAY_SIZE(serial8250_ports) || nr_uarts == 0)
 		return -ENODEV;
 
 	serial8250_isa_init_ports();
@@ -3932,6 +3935,9 @@ static int __init serial8250_init(void)
 {
 	int ret;
 
+	if (nr_uarts == 0)
+		return -ENODEV;
+
 	serial8250_isa_init_ports();
 
 	printk(KERN_INFO "Serial: 8250/16550 driver, "