diff --git a/drivers/base/dd.c b/drivers/base/dd.c
index b25bcab2a26b..1d5dd37f3abe 100644
--- a/drivers/base/dd.c
+++ b/drivers/base/dd.c
@@ -872,7 +872,9 @@ static int __device_attach(struct device *dev, bool allow_async)
 	int ret = 0;
 
 	device_lock(dev);
-	if (dev->driver) {
+	if (dev->p->dead) {
+		goto out_unlock;
+	} else if (dev->driver) {
 		if (device_is_bound(dev)) {
 			ret = 1;
 			goto out_unlock;