diff --git a/drivers/base/dd.c b/drivers/base/dd.c
index 60c005223844..d345f6c175a6 100644
--- a/drivers/base/dd.c
+++ b/drivers/base/dd.c
@@ -1071,7 +1071,7 @@ static int __device_attach(struct device *dev, bool allow_async)
 	bool async = false;
 
 	device_lock(dev);
-	if (dev->p->dead) {
+	if (!dev->p || dev->p->dead) {
 		goto out_unlock;
 	} else if (dev->driver) {
 		if (device_is_bound(dev)) {