diff --git a/sound/usb/midi.c b/sound/usb/midi.c
index f8996416c3be..8a9bc37f0b6e 100644
--- a/sound/usb/midi.c
+++ b/sound/usb/midi.c
@@ -875,6 +875,8 @@ static void snd_usbmidi_novation_output(struct snd_usb_midi_out_endpoint *ep,
 
 	if (!ep->ports[0].active)
 		return;
+	if (ep->max_transfer < 3)
+		return;
 	transfer_buffer = urb->transfer_buffer;
 	count = snd_rawmidi_transmit(ep->ports[0].substream,
 				     &transfer_buffer[2],