diff --git a/drivers/char/tty_io.c b/drivers/char/tty_io.c
index f24c26d2dba1..e45326856680 100644
--- a/drivers/char/tty_io.c
+++ b/drivers/char/tty_io.c
@@ -1901,6 +1901,20 @@ static int init_dev(struct tty_driver *driver, int idx,
 	/* check whether we're reopening an existing tty */
 	if (driver->flags & TTY_DRIVER_DEVPTS_MEM) {
 		tty = devpts_get_tty(idx);
+		/*
+		 * If we don't have a tty here on a slave open, it's because
+		 * the master already started the close process and there's
+		 * no relation between devpts file and tty anymore.
+		 */
+		if (!tty && driver->subtype == PTY_TYPE_SLAVE) {
+			retval = -EIO;
+			goto end_init;
+		}
+		/*
+		 * It's safe from now on because init_dev() is called with
+		 * tty_mutex held and release_dev() won't change tty->count
+		 * or tty->flags without having to grab tty_mutex
+		 */
 		if (tty && driver->subtype == PTY_TYPE_MASTER)
 			tty = tty->link;
 	} else {