diff --git a/common/blspec.c b/common/blspec.c
index 8132d14..b258e66 100644
--- a/common/blspec.c
+++ b/common/blspec.c
@@ -361,6 +361,14 @@
 	const char *compat;
 	char *filename;
 
+	/* If the entry doesn't specifiy a devicetree we are compatible */
+	devicetree = blspec_entry_var_get(entry, "devicetree");
+	if (!devicetree)
+		return true;
+
+	if (!strcmp(devicetree, "none"))
+		return true;
+
 	/* If we don't have a root node every entry is compatible */
 	barebox_root = of_get_root_node();
 	if (!barebox_root)
@@ -375,14 +383,6 @@
 	else
 		abspath = "";
 
-	/* If the entry doesn't specifiy a devicetree we are compatible */
-	devicetree = blspec_entry_var_get(entry, "devicetree");
-	if (!devicetree)
-		return true;
-
-	if (!strcmp(devicetree, "none"))
-		return true;
-
 	filename = basprintf("%s/%s", abspath, devicetree);
 
 	fdt = read_file(filename, &size);