diff --git a/drivers/char/virtio_console.c b/drivers/char/virtio_console.c
index e15dbe7..e1d382b 100644
--- a/drivers/char/virtio_console.c
+++ b/drivers/char/virtio_console.c
@@ -410,7 +410,10 @@
 static ssize_t send_control_msg(struct port *port, unsigned int event,
 				unsigned int value)
 {
-	return __send_control_msg(port->portdev, port->id, event, value);
+	/* Did the port get unplugged before userspace closed it? */
+	if (port->portdev)
+		return __send_control_msg(port->portdev, port->id, event, value);
+	return 0;
 }
 
 /* Callers must take the port->outvq_lock */