diff --git a/drivers/media/video/v4l2-dev.c b/drivers/media/video/v4l2-dev.c
index d721565..a5c9ed1 100644
--- a/drivers/media/video/v4l2-dev.c
+++ b/drivers/media/video/v4l2-dev.c
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@
 	 * TODO: In the long run all drivers that use v4l2_device should use the
 	 * v4l2_device release callback. This check will then be unnecessary.
 	 */
-	if (v4l2_dev->release == NULL)
+	if (v4l2_dev && v4l2_dev->release == NULL)
 		v4l2_dev = NULL;
 
 	/* Release video_device and perform other