diff --git a/drivers/serial/serial_core.c b/drivers/serial/serial_core.c
index 2d8622eef7019caffee46cfe2949898e8d7174b0..401d94a7fe2ee541ad9701edb88378ad5eccb54b 100644
--- a/drivers/serial/serial_core.c
+++ b/drivers/serial/serial_core.c
@@ -147,8 +147,7 @@ static int uart_startup(struct uart_state *state, int init_hw)
 	 * once we have successfully opened the port.  Also set
 	 * up the tty->alt_speed kludge
 	 */
-	if (info->tty)
-		set_bit(TTY_IO_ERROR, &info->tty->flags);
+	set_bit(TTY_IO_ERROR, &info->tty->flags);
 
 	if (port->type == PORT_UNKNOWN)
 		return 0;