diff --git a/arch/arm/mach-mvebu/include/mach/soc.h b/arch/arm/mach-mvebu/include/mach/soc.h
index 660dd14..6e2e14e 100644
--- a/arch/arm/mach-mvebu/include/mach/soc.h
+++ b/arch/arm/mach-mvebu/include/mach/soc.h
@@ -114,6 +114,8 @@
 #define BOOTROM_ERR_MODE_OFFS	28
 #define BOOTROM_ERR_MODE_MASK	(0xf << BOOTROM_ERR_MODE_OFFS)
 #define BOOTROM_ERR_MODE_UART	0x6
+#define BOOTROM_ERR_CODE_OFFS	0
+#define BOOTROM_ERR_CODE_MASK	(0xf << BOOTROM_ERR_CODE_OFFS)
 
 #if defined(CONFIG_ARMADA_375)
 /* SAR values for Armada 375 */
diff --git a/arch/arm/mach-mvebu/spl.c b/arch/arm/mach-mvebu/spl.c
index 4c3933b..9dd7c84 100644
--- a/arch/arm/mach-mvebu/spl.c
+++ b/arch/arm/mach-mvebu/spl.c
@@ -28,6 +28,16 @@ static u32 get_boot_device(void)
 	if (boot_device == BOOTROM_ERR_MODE_UART)
 		return BOOT_DEVICE_UART;
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_ARMADA_38X
+	/*
+	 * If the bootrom error code contains any other than zeros it's an
+	 * error condition and the bootROM has fallen back to UART boot
+	 */
+	boot_device = (val & BOOTROM_ERR_CODE_MASK) >> BOOTROM_ERR_CODE_OFFS;
+	if (boot_device)
+		return BOOT_DEVICE_UART;
+#endif
+
 	/*
 	 * Now check the SAR register for the strapped boot-device
 	 */