diff --git a/script/init.d/ethercat b/script/init.d/ethercat
index a6fb98c787b19b36cd942ace835f9162645c90a7..26710160376b1e451a177802f8803efec18d713e 100755
--- a/script/init.d/ethercat
+++ b/script/init.d/ethercat
@@ -186,6 +186,11 @@ start)
 
     # get dynamic major number
     MAJOR=$(awk "\$2==\"EtherCAT\" {print \$1}" /proc/devices)
+    if [ -z "${MAJOR}" ]; then
+        echo "Failed to get device major number!"
+        ${RMMOD} ec_master
+        exit_fail
+    fi
 
     # create character devices
     for i in ${MASTER_INDICES}; do