diff --git a/arch/x86/kernel/cpu/common.c b/arch/x86/kernel/cpu/common.c
index dc1697ca5191..9bab7a8a4293 100644
--- a/arch/x86/kernel/cpu/common.c
+++ b/arch/x86/kernel/cpu/common.c
@@ -1221,7 +1221,7 @@ static __init int setup_disablecpuid(char *arg)
 {
 	int bit;
 
-	if (get_option(&arg, &bit) && bit < NCAPINTS*32)
+	if (get_option(&arg, &bit) && bit >= 0 && bit < NCAPINTS * 32)
 		setup_clear_cpu_cap(bit);
 	else
 		return 0;