diff --git a/lib/smbios.c b/lib/smbios.c
index b69f5e8c48..b52e125eeb 100644
--- a/lib/smbios.c
+++ b/lib/smbios.c
@@ -258,7 +258,11 @@ static int smbios_write_type1(ulong *current, int handle,
 	fill_smbios_header(t, SMBIOS_SYSTEM_INFORMATION, len, handle);
 	smbios_set_eos(ctx, t->eos);
 	t->manufacturer = smbios_add_prop(ctx, "manufacturer");
+	if (!t->manufacturer)
+		t->manufacturer = smbios_add_string(ctx, "Unknown");
 	t->product_name = smbios_add_prop(ctx, "product");
+	if (!t->product_name)
+		t->product_name = smbios_add_string(ctx, "Unknown Product");
 	t->version = smbios_add_prop_si(ctx, "version",
 					SYSINFO_ID_SMBIOS_SYSTEM_VERSION);
 	if (serial_str) {
@@ -288,7 +292,11 @@ static int smbios_write_type2(ulong *current, int handle,
 	fill_smbios_header(t, SMBIOS_BOARD_INFORMATION, len, handle);
 	smbios_set_eos(ctx, t->eos);
 	t->manufacturer = smbios_add_prop(ctx, "manufacturer");
+	if (!t->manufacturer)
+		t->manufacturer = smbios_add_string(ctx, "Unknown");
 	t->product_name = smbios_add_prop(ctx, "product");
+	if (!t->product_name)
+		t->product_name = smbios_add_string(ctx, "Unknown Product");
 	t->version = smbios_add_prop_si(ctx, "version",
 					SYSINFO_ID_SMBIOS_BASEBOARD_VERSION);
 	t->asset_tag_number = smbios_add_prop(ctx, "asset-tag");
@@ -313,6 +321,8 @@ static int smbios_write_type3(ulong *current, int handle,
 	fill_smbios_header(t, SMBIOS_SYSTEM_ENCLOSURE, len, handle);
 	smbios_set_eos(ctx, t->eos);
 	t->manufacturer = smbios_add_prop(ctx, "manufacturer");
+	if (!t->manufacturer)
+		t->manufacturer = smbios_add_string(ctx, "Unknown");
 	t->chassis_type = SMBIOS_ENCLOSURE_DESKTOP;
 	t->bootup_state = SMBIOS_STATE_SAFE;
 	t->power_supply_state = SMBIOS_STATE_SAFE;