diff --git a/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c b/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
index 98c67ddf2fd9..43899147a77a 100644
--- a/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
+++ b/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
@@ -2567,6 +2567,9 @@ static int gsmld_open(struct tty_struct *tty)
 	struct gsm_mux *gsm;
 	int ret;
 
+	if (!capable(CAP_NET_ADMIN))
+		return -EPERM;
+
 	if (tty->ops->write == NULL)
 		return -EINVAL;