diff --git a/drivers/comedi/drivers/dt2815.c b/drivers/comedi/drivers/dt2815.c
index 03ba2fd18a21..1578cebae8e7 100644
--- a/drivers/comedi/drivers/dt2815.c
+++ b/drivers/comedi/drivers/dt2815.c
@@ -183,6 +183,15 @@ static int dt2815_attach(struct comedi_device *dev, struct comedi_devconfig *it)
 
 		usleep_range(1000, 3000);
 		status = inb(dev->iobase + DT2815_STATUS);
+
+		   /* 0xff usually indicates no hardware present on the bus */
+		if (i == 0 && status == 0xff) {
+			dev_err(dev->class_dev,
+				"No hardware detected at I/O base 0x%lx\n",
+				dev->iobase);
+			return -ENODEV;
+		}
+
 		if (status == 4) {
 			unsigned int program;