diff --git a/common/misc.c b/common/misc.c
index 66aba53..9b390dc 100644
--- a/common/misc.c
+++ b/common/misc.c
@@ -150,7 +150,10 @@
 
 const char *barebox_get_model(void)
 {
-	return model;
+	if (model)
+		return model;
+	else
+		return "none";
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL(barebox_get_model);