diff --git a/hw/char/serial.c b/hw/char/serial.c
index 3442f47d36..eec72b7b9e 100644
--- a/hw/char/serial.c
+++ b/hw/char/serial.c
@@ -153,8 +153,9 @@ static void serial_update_parameters(SerialState *s)
     int speed, parity, data_bits, stop_bits, frame_size;
     QEMUSerialSetParams ssp;
 
-    if (s->divider == 0)
+    if (s->divider == 0 || s->divider > s->baudbase) {
         return;
+    }
 
     /* Start bit. */
     frame_size = 1;