diff --git a/drivers/pci/controller/dwc/pcie-designware-host.c b/drivers/pci/controller/dwc/pcie-designware-host.c
index fe0fd88e95eb..f0967cbb48f2 100644
--- a/drivers/pci/controller/dwc/pcie-designware-host.c
+++ b/drivers/pci/controller/dwc/pcie-designware-host.c
@@ -411,8 +411,10 @@ int dw_pcie_host_init(struct pcie_port *pp)
 		if (ret)
 			goto err_free_msi;
 
-		/* Ignore errors, the link may come up later */
-		dw_pcie_wait_for_link(pci);
+		if (pci->ops && pci->ops->start_link) {
+			/* Ignore errors, the link may come up later */
+			dw_pcie_wait_for_link(pci);
+		}
 	}
 
 	bridge->sysdata = pp;