diff --git a/package/base-files/files/lib/functions/boot.sh b/package/base-files/files/lib/functions/boot.sh
index e6f6633adb9..f93eec99a9f 100644
--- a/package/base-files/files/lib/functions/boot.sh
+++ b/package/base-files/files/lib/functions/boot.sh
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ find_mtd_part() {
 
 jffs2_ready () {
     mtdpart="$(find_mtd_part rootfs_data)"
+    [ -z "$mtdpart" ] && return 1
     magic=$(hexdump $mtdpart -n 4 -e '4/1 "%02x"')
     [ "$magic" != "deadc0de" ]
 }