--- drivers/net/eql.c.ori	2004-07-22 12:46:56.103576048 +0200
+++ drivers/net/eql.c	2004-07-22 12:46:59.068125368 +0200
@@ -497,6 +497,8 @@
 	slave_dev = dev_get_by_name(sc.slave_name);
 
 	ret = -EINVAL;
+	if (!slave_dev)
+		return ret;
 
 	spin_lock_bh(&eql->queue.lock);
 	if (eql_is_slave(slave_dev)) {
@@ -531,6 +533,8 @@
 	slave_dev = dev_get_by_name(sc.slave_name);
 
 	ret = -EINVAL;
+	if (!slave_dev)
+		return ret;
 
 	spin_lock_bh(&eql->queue.lock);
 	if (eql_is_slave(slave_dev)) {