diff --git a/net/atm/svc.c b/net/atm/svc.c
index 005964250ecd..15eafeb32bb9 100644
--- a/net/atm/svc.c
+++ b/net/atm/svc.c
@@ -298,6 +298,10 @@ static int svc_listen(struct socket *sock, int backlog)
 		error = -EINVAL;
 		goto out;
 	}
+	if (!test_bit(ATM_VF_READY, &vcc->flags)) {
+		error = -EINVAL;
+		goto out;
+	}
 	if (test_bit(ATM_VF_LISTEN, &vcc->flags)) {
 		error = -EADDRINUSE;
 		goto out;