diff --git a/drivers/gpu/drm/nouveau/nouveau_drm.c b/drivers/gpu/drm/nouveau/nouveau_drm.c
index d021a3049be1..82a8061e6d3e 100644
--- a/drivers/gpu/drm/nouveau/nouveau_drm.c
+++ b/drivers/gpu/drm/nouveau/nouveau_drm.c
@@ -739,10 +739,17 @@ nouveau_drm_device_new(struct device *parent, struct nvkm_device *device)
 	struct nouveau_drm *drm;
 	int ret;
 
-	if (nouveau_atomic)
-		driver = &driver_atomic_kms;
-	else
+	if (device->card_type >= NV_50) {
+		if (nouveau_atomic)
+			driver = &driver_atomic_kms;
+		else
+			driver = &driver_legacy_kms;
+	} else {
+		if (nouveau_atomic)
+			dev_warn(parent, "Atomic modesetting not supported (needs nv50+)\n");
+
 		driver = &driver_legacy_kms;
+	}
 
 	drm = kzalloc_obj(*drm);
 	if (!drm)