diff --git a/drivers/media/usb/au0828/au0828-core.c b/drivers/media/usb/au0828/au0828-core.c
index bc064803b6c7..082ae6ba492f 100644
--- a/drivers/media/usb/au0828/au0828-core.c
+++ b/drivers/media/usb/au0828/au0828-core.c
@@ -153,6 +153,14 @@ static void au0828_usb_disconnect(struct usb_interface *interface)
 
 	dprintk(1, "%s()\n", __func__);
 
+	/* there is a small window after disconnect, before
+	   dev->usbdev is NULL, for poll (e.g: IR) try to access
+	   the device and fill the dmesg with error messages.
+	   Set the status so poll routines can check and avoid
+	   access after disconnect.
+	*/
+	dev->dev_state = DEV_DISCONNECTED;
+
 	au0828_rc_unregister(dev);
 	/* Digital TV */
 	au0828_dvb_unregister(dev);
diff --git a/drivers/media/usb/au0828/au0828-input.c b/drivers/media/usb/au0828/au0828-input.c
index 11a8daec5939..b0f067971979 100644
--- a/drivers/media/usb/au0828/au0828-input.c
+++ b/drivers/media/usb/au0828/au0828-input.c
@@ -129,6 +129,10 @@ static int au0828_get_key_au8522(struct au0828_rc *ir)
 	int prv_bit, bit, width;
 	bool first = true;
 
+	/* do nothing if device is disconnected */
+	if (ir->dev->dev_state == DEV_DISCONNECTED)
+		return 0;
+
 	/* Check IR int */
 	rc = au8522_rc_read(ir, 0xe1, -1, buf, 1);
 	if (rc < 0 || !(buf[0] & (1 << 4))) {
@@ -255,8 +259,11 @@ static void au0828_rc_stop(struct rc_dev *rc)
 
 	cancel_delayed_work_sync(&ir->work);
 
-	/* Disable IR */
-	au8522_rc_clear(ir, 0xe0, 1 << 4);
+	/* do nothing if device is disconnected */
+	if (ir->dev->dev_state != DEV_DISCONNECTED) {
+		/* Disable IR */
+		au8522_rc_clear(ir, 0xe0, 1 << 4);
+	}
 }
 
 static int au0828_probe_i2c_ir(struct au0828_dev *dev)