diff --git a/arch/metag/kernel/ptrace.c b/arch/metag/kernel/ptrace.c
index 2e4dfc15abd3..5e2dc7defd2c 100644
--- a/arch/metag/kernel/ptrace.c
+++ b/arch/metag/kernel/ptrace.c
@@ -253,6 +253,8 @@ int metag_rp_state_copyin(struct pt_regs *regs,
 	unsigned long long *ptr;
 	int ret, i;
 
+	if (count < 4*13)
+		return -EINVAL;
 	/* Read the entire pipeline before making any changes */
 	ret = user_regset_copyin(&pos, &count, &kbuf, &ubuf,
 				 &rp, 0, 4*13);