diff --git a/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c b/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
index 4b4358930470..6b6abce6b69f 100644
--- a/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
+++ b/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
@@ -3404,6 +3404,8 @@ static int gsm_modem_upd_via_msc(struct gsm_dlci *dlci, u8 brk)
 
 static int gsm_modem_update(struct gsm_dlci *dlci, u8 brk)
 {
+	if (dlci->gsm->dead)
+		return -EL2HLT;
 	if (dlci->adaption == 2) {
 		/* Send convergence layer type 2 empty data frame. */
 		gsm_modem_upd_via_data(dlci, brk);