diff --git a/drivers/tty/serial/atmel_serial.c b/drivers/tty/serial/atmel_serial.c
index e0277cf0bf58..f5c4e92b5172 100644
--- a/drivers/tty/serial/atmel_serial.c
+++ b/drivers/tty/serial/atmel_serial.c
@@ -1167,6 +1167,10 @@ static int atmel_prepare_rx_dma(struct uart_port *port)
 					 sg_dma_len(&atmel_port->sg_rx)/2,
 					 DMA_DEV_TO_MEM,
 					 DMA_PREP_INTERRUPT);
+	if (!desc) {
+		dev_err(port->dev, "Preparing DMA cyclic failed\n");
+		goto chan_err;
+	}
 	desc->callback = atmel_complete_rx_dma;
 	desc->callback_param = port;
 	atmel_port->desc_rx = desc;