diff --git a/sound/aoa/codecs/tas.c b/sound/aoa/codecs/tas.c
index f0ebc971c686..1dd66ddffcaf 100644
--- a/sound/aoa/codecs/tas.c
+++ b/sound/aoa/codecs/tas.c
@@ -897,6 +897,15 @@ static int tas_create(struct i2c_adapter *adapter,
 	client = i2c_new_device(adapter, &info);
 	if (!client)
 		return -ENODEV;
+	/*
+	 * We know the driver is already loaded, so the device should be
+	 * already bound. If not it means binding failed, and then there
+	 * is no point in keeping the device instantiated.
+	 */
+	if (!client->driver) {
+		i2c_unregister_device(client);
+		return -ENODEV;
+	}
 
 	/*
 	 * Let i2c-core delete that device on driver removal.
diff --git a/sound/ppc/keywest.c b/sound/ppc/keywest.c
index 835fa19ed461..bb6819aab133 100644
--- a/sound/ppc/keywest.c
+++ b/sound/ppc/keywest.c
@@ -59,6 +59,18 @@ static int keywest_attach_adapter(struct i2c_adapter *adapter)
 	strlcpy(info.type, "keywest", I2C_NAME_SIZE);
 	info.addr = keywest_ctx->addr;
 	keywest_ctx->client = i2c_new_device(adapter, &info);
+	if (!keywest_ctx->client)
+		return -ENODEV;
+	/*
+	 * We know the driver is already loaded, so the device should be
+	 * already bound. If not it means binding failed, and then there
+	 * is no point in keeping the device instantiated.
+	 */
+	if (!keywest_ctx->client->driver) {
+		i2c_unregister_device(keywest_ctx->client);
+		keywest_ctx->client = NULL;
+		return -ENODEV;
+	}
 	
 	/*
 	 * Let i2c-core delete that device on driver removal.