diff --git a/sound/ppc/keywest.c b/sound/ppc/keywest.c
index 59482a4..272ae38 100644
--- a/sound/ppc/keywest.c
+++ b/sound/ppc/keywest.c
@@ -117,6 +117,9 @@
 {
 	int err;
 	
+	if (!keywest_ctx || !keywest_ctx->client)
+		return -ENXIO;
+
 	if ((err = keywest_ctx->init_client(keywest_ctx)) < 0) {
 		snd_printk(KERN_ERR "tumbler: %i :cannot initialize the MCS\n", err);
 		return err;