diff --git a/drivers/base/regmap/regcache.c b/drivers/base/regmap/regcache.c
index 29a9fda41c44..0e3b6942640c 100644
--- a/drivers/base/regmap/regcache.c
+++ b/drivers/base/regmap/regcache.c
@@ -516,6 +516,10 @@ int regcache_sync_region(struct regmap *map, unsigned int min,
 
 	map->lock(map->lock_arg);
 
+	if (WARN_ON(map->cache_only)) {
+		map->unlock(map->lock_arg);
+		return -EINVAL;
+	}
 	/* Remember the initial bypass state */
 	bypass = map->cache_bypass;