diff --git a/drivers/media/rc/rc-main.c b/drivers/media/rc/rc-main.c
index 6f80c251f641..70df83835b5c 100644
--- a/drivers/media/rc/rc-main.c
+++ b/drivers/media/rc/rc-main.c
@@ -1256,6 +1256,10 @@ static ssize_t store_protocols(struct device *device,
 	}
 
 	mutex_lock(&dev->lock);
+	if (!dev->registered) {
+		mutex_unlock(&dev->lock);
+		return -ENODEV;
+	}
 
 	old_protocols = *current_protocols;
 	new_protocols = old_protocols;
@@ -1394,6 +1398,10 @@ static ssize_t store_filter(struct device *device,
 		return -EINVAL;
 
 	mutex_lock(&dev->lock);
+	if (!dev->registered) {
+		mutex_unlock(&dev->lock);
+		return -ENODEV;
+	}
 
 	new_filter = *filter;
 	if (fattr->mask)
@@ -1508,6 +1516,10 @@ static ssize_t store_wakeup_protocols(struct device *device,
 	int i;
 
 	mutex_lock(&dev->lock);
+	if (!dev->registered) {
+		mutex_unlock(&dev->lock);
+		return -ENODEV;
+	}
 
 	allowed = dev->allowed_wakeup_protocols;