diff --git a/drivers/tty/serial/8250/8250_core.c b/drivers/tty/serial/8250/8250_core.c
index 904e319e6b4a..912733151858 100644
--- a/drivers/tty/serial/8250/8250_core.c
+++ b/drivers/tty/serial/8250/8250_core.c
@@ -611,7 +611,7 @@ static int univ8250_console_setup(struct console *co, char *options)
 	 * if so, search for the first available port that does have
 	 * console support.
 	 */
-	if (co->index >= UART_NR)
+	if (co->index < 0 || co->index >= UART_NR)
 		co->index = 0;
 
 	/*