diff --git a/drivers/video/fbdev/intelfb/intelfbdrv.c b/drivers/video/fbdev/intelfb/intelfbdrv.c
index a9579964eaba..8a703adfa936 100644
--- a/drivers/video/fbdev/intelfb/intelfbdrv.c
+++ b/drivers/video/fbdev/intelfb/intelfbdrv.c
@@ -1214,6 +1214,9 @@ static int intelfb_check_var(struct fb_var_screeninfo *var,
 
 	dinfo = GET_DINFO(info);
 
+	if (!var->pixclock)
+		return -EINVAL;
+
 	/* update the pitch */
 	if (intelfbhw_validate_mode(dinfo, var) != 0)
 		return -EINVAL;