diff --git a/hw/char/virtio-serial-bus.c b/hw/char/virtio-serial-bus.c
index bea7a17..c191283 100644
--- a/hw/char/virtio-serial-bus.c
+++ b/hw/char/virtio-serial-bus.c
@@ -902,7 +902,7 @@
         return;
     }
 
-    if (find_port_by_name(port->name)) {
+    if (port->name != NULL && find_port_by_name(port->name)) {
         error_setg(errp, "virtio-serial-bus: A port already exists by name %s",
                    port->name);
         return;