diff --git a/arch/powerpc/kernel/pci-hotplug.c b/arch/powerpc/kernel/pci-hotplug.c
index 46587a14dd94..2d71269e7dc1 100644
--- a/arch/powerpc/kernel/pci-hotplug.c
+++ b/arch/powerpc/kernel/pci-hotplug.c
@@ -120,7 +120,8 @@ void pci_hp_add_devices(struct pci_bus *bus)
 	if (mode == PCI_PROBE_DEVTREE) {
 		/* use ofdt-based probe */
 		of_rescan_bus(dn, bus);
-	} else if (mode == PCI_PROBE_NORMAL) {
+	} else if (mode == PCI_PROBE_NORMAL &&
+		   dn->child && PCI_DN(dn->child)) {
 		/*
 		 * Use legacy probe. In the partial hotplug case, we
 		 * probably have grandchildren devices unplugged. So