diff --git a/drivers/base/dd.c b/drivers/base/dd.c
index 319a73b..b5f43c3 100644
--- a/drivers/base/dd.c
+++ b/drivers/base/dd.c
@@ -162,6 +162,8 @@
 	struct task_struct *probe_task;
 	int ret = 0;
 
+	if (!device_is_registered(dev))
+		return -ENODEV;
 	if (drv->bus->match && !drv->bus->match(dev, drv))
 		goto done;