diff --git a/kernel/trace/blktrace.c b/kernel/trace/blktrace.c
index a4c8f9d9522e..884333b9fc76 100644
--- a/kernel/trace/blktrace.c
+++ b/kernel/trace/blktrace.c
@@ -535,6 +535,18 @@ static int do_blk_trace_setup(struct request_queue *q, char *name, dev_t dev,
 #endif
 		bt->dir = dir = debugfs_create_dir(buts->name, blk_debugfs_root);
 
+	/*
+	 * As blktrace relies on debugfs for its interface the debugfs directory
+	 * is required, contrary to the usual mantra of not checking for debugfs
+	 * files or directories.
+	 */
+	if (IS_ERR_OR_NULL(dir)) {
+		pr_warn("debugfs_dir not present for %s so skipping\n",
+			buts->name);
+		ret = -ENOENT;
+		goto err;
+	}
+
 	bt->dev = dev;
 	atomic_set(&bt->dropped, 0);
 	INIT_LIST_HEAD(&bt->running_list);