diff --git a/drivers/video/nvidia/nvidia.c b/drivers/video/nvidia/nvidia.c
index 30e14eb1f51e..74517b1b26a6 100644
--- a/drivers/video/nvidia/nvidia.c
+++ b/drivers/video/nvidia/nvidia.c
@@ -849,9 +849,27 @@ static int nvidiafb_check_var(struct fb_var_screeninfo *var,
 	if (!mode_valid && info->monspecs.modedb_len)
 		return -EINVAL;
 
+	/*
+	 * If we're on a flat panel, check if the mode is outside of the
+	 * panel dimensions. If so, cap it and try for the next best mode
+	 * before bailing out.
+	 */
 	if (par->fpWidth && par->fpHeight && (par->fpWidth < var->xres ||
-					      par->fpHeight < var->yres))
-		return -EINVAL;
+					      par->fpHeight < var->yres)) {
+		const struct fb_videomode *mode;
+
+		var->xres = par->fpWidth;
+		var->yres = par->fpHeight;
+
+		mode = fb_find_best_mode(var, &info->modelist);
+		if (!mode) {
+			printk(KERN_ERR PFX "mode out of range of flat "
+			       "panel dimensions\n");
+			return -EINVAL;
+		}
+
+		fb_videomode_to_var(var, mode);
+	}
 
 	if (var->yres_virtual < var->yres)
 		var->yres_virtual = var->yres;