diff --git a/drivers/media/rc/lirc_dev.c b/drivers/media/rc/lirc_dev.c
index f4509ef9922b..2d8e14fa131b 100644
--- a/drivers/media/rc/lirc_dev.c
+++ b/drivers/media/rc/lirc_dev.c
@@ -360,7 +360,7 @@ int lirc_register_driver(struct lirc_driver *d)
 	if (minor < 0)
 		return minor;
 
-	if (LIRC_CAN_REC(d->features)) {
+	if (LIRC_CAN_REC(d->features) || LIRC_CAN_SEND(d->features)) {
 		err = lirc_allocate_buffer(irctls[minor]);
 		if (err)
 			lirc_unregister_driver(minor);