diff --git a/drivers/i2c/i2c-smbus.c b/drivers/i2c/i2c-smbus.c
index 44d4c60..c99b229 100644
--- a/drivers/i2c/i2c-smbus.c
+++ b/drivers/i2c/i2c-smbus.c
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@
 {
 	struct i2c_client *client = i2c_verify_client(dev);
 	struct alert_data *data = addrp;
+	struct i2c_driver *driver;
 
 	if (!client || client->addr != data->addr)
 		return 0;
@@ -54,12 +55,13 @@
 
 	/*
 	 * Drivers should either disable alerts, or provide at least
-	 * a minimal handler.  Lock so client->driver won't change.
+	 * a minimal handler.  Lock so the driver won't change.
 	 */
 	device_lock(dev);
-	if (client->driver) {
-		if (client->driver->alert)
-			client->driver->alert(client, data->flag);
+	if (client->dev.driver) {
+		driver = to_i2c_driver(client->dev.driver);
+		if (driver->alert)
+			driver->alert(client, data->flag);
 		else
 			dev_warn(&client->dev, "no driver alert()!\n");
 	} else