diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/microchip/lan966x/lan966x_main.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/microchip/lan966x/lan966x_main.c
index e1bcb28039dc..1f8c67f0261b 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/microchip/lan966x/lan966x_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/microchip/lan966x/lan966x_main.c
@@ -408,6 +408,9 @@ static int lan966x_port_ioctl(struct net_device *dev, struct ifreq *ifr,
 		}
 	}
 
+	if (!dev->phydev)
+		return -ENODEV;
+
 	return phy_mii_ioctl(dev->phydev, ifr, cmd);
 }