diff --git a/drivers/video/fbdev/tdfxfb.c b/drivers/video/fbdev/tdfxfb.c
index fbbf26b170f7..bb31e3a61ced 100644
--- a/drivers/video/fbdev/tdfxfb.c
+++ b/drivers/video/fbdev/tdfxfb.c
@@ -496,6 +496,9 @@ static int tdfxfb_check_var(struct fb_var_screeninfo *var, struct fb_info *info)
 		}
 	}
 
+	if (!var->pixclock)
+		return -EINVAL;
+
 	if (PICOS2KHZ(var->pixclock) > par->max_pixclock) {
 		DPRINTK("pixclock too high (%ldKHz)\n",
 			PICOS2KHZ(var->pixclock));