diff --git a/drivers/tty/serial/samsung.c b/drivers/tty/serial/samsung.c
index b4f86c219db1..7a17aedbf902 100644
--- a/drivers/tty/serial/samsung.c
+++ b/drivers/tty/serial/samsung.c
@@ -1031,8 +1031,10 @@ static int s3c64xx_serial_startup(struct uart_port *port)
 	if (ourport->dma) {
 		ret = s3c24xx_serial_request_dma(ourport);
 		if (ret < 0) {
-			dev_warn(port->dev, "DMA request failed\n");
-			return ret;
+			dev_warn(port->dev,
+				 "DMA request failed, DMA will not be used\n");
+			devm_kfree(port->dev, ourport->dma);
+			ourport->dma = NULL;
 		}
 	}