diff --git a/drivers/cpufreq/cpufreq.c b/drivers/cpufreq/cpufreq.c
index fc7eace8b65b..b8937737d096 100644
--- a/drivers/cpufreq/cpufreq.c
+++ b/drivers/cpufreq/cpufreq.c
@@ -1121,7 +1121,8 @@ static int cpufreq_init_policy(struct cpufreq_policy *policy)
 
 	if (has_target()) {
 		/* Update policy governor to the one used before hotplug. */
-		gov = get_governor(policy->last_governor);
+		if (policy->last_governor[0] != '\0')
+			gov = get_governor(policy->last_governor);
 		if (gov) {
 			pr_debug("Restoring governor %s for cpu %d\n",
 				 gov->name, policy->cpu);