diff --git a/drivers/staging/speakup/main.c b/drivers/staging/speakup/main.c
index 11c3b47b8a22..08b07e77bb9d 100644
--- a/drivers/staging/speakup/main.c
+++ b/drivers/staging/speakup/main.c
@@ -577,7 +577,7 @@ static u_long get_word(struct vc_data *vc)
 	}
 	attr_ch = get_char(vc, (u_short *)tmp_pos, &spk_attr);
 	buf[cnt++] = attr_ch;
-	while (tmpx < vc->vc_cols - 1) {
+	while (tmpx < vc->vc_cols - 1 && cnt < sizeof(buf) - 1) {
 		tmp_pos += 2;
 		tmpx++;
 		ch = get_char(vc, (u_short *)tmp_pos, &temp);