diff --git a/drivers/gpio/gpiolib-legacy.c b/drivers/gpio/gpiolib-legacy.c
index 078ae6c..8b83099 100644
--- a/drivers/gpio/gpiolib-legacy.c
+++ b/drivers/gpio/gpiolib-legacy.c
@@ -24,6 +24,10 @@
 
 	desc = gpio_to_desc(gpio);
 
+	/* Compatibility: assume unavailable "valid" GPIOs will appear later */
+	if (!desc && gpio_is_valid(gpio))
+		return -EPROBE_DEFER;
+
 	err = gpiod_request(desc, label);
 	if (err)
 		return err;
@@ -62,7 +66,13 @@
 
 int gpio_request(unsigned gpio, const char *label)
 {
-	return gpiod_request(gpio_to_desc(gpio), label);
+	struct gpio_desc *desc = gpio_to_desc(gpio);
+
+	/* Compatibility: assume unavailable "valid" GPIOs will appear later */
+	if (!desc && gpio_is_valid(gpio))
+		return -EPROBE_DEFER;
+
+	return gpiod_request(desc, label);
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(gpio_request);