diff --git a/drivers/tty/serial/serial_core.c b/drivers/tty/serial/serial_core.c
index 05450529871e..9eea8d1a0e8a 100644
--- a/drivers/tty/serial/serial_core.c
+++ b/drivers/tty/serial/serial_core.c
@@ -895,7 +895,11 @@ static int uart_set_info(struct tty_struct *tty, struct tty_port *port,
 	upf_t old_flags, new_flags;
 	int retval;
 
-	if (!uport || tty_io_error(tty))
+	/*
+	 * TTY_IO_ERROR is also set on a port that could not be started, and
+	 * this is how such a port is configured. Only refuse a hung up port.
+	 */
+	if (!uport || !tty_port_active(port))
 		return -EIO;
 
 	new_port = new_info->port;
@@ -1143,7 +1147,8 @@ static int uart_do_autoconfig(struct tty_struct *tty, struct uart_state *state)
 	 */
 	scoped_cond_guard(mutex_intr, return -ERESTARTSYS, &port->mutex) {
 		uport = uart_port_check(state);
-		if (!uport || tty_io_error(tty))
+		/* As in uart_set_info(), only refuse a hung up port. */
+		if (!uport || !tty_port_active(port))
 			return -EIO;
 
 		if (tty_port_users(port) != 1)