diff --git a/drivers/regulator/Kconfig b/drivers/regulator/Kconfig
index dfe58096b374..0417ce327cd8 100644
--- a/drivers/regulator/Kconfig
+++ b/drivers/regulator/Kconfig
@@ -28,16 +28,6 @@ config REGULATOR_DEBUG
 	help
 	  Say yes here to enable debugging support.
 
-config REGULATOR_DUMMY
-	bool "Provide a dummy regulator if regulator lookups fail"
-	help
-	  If this option is enabled then when a regulator lookup fails
-	  and the board has not specified that it has provided full
-	  constraints the regulator core will provide an always
-	  enabled dummy regulator, allowing consumer drivers to continue.
-
-	  A warning will be generated when this substitution is done.
-
 config REGULATOR_FIXED_VOLTAGE
 	tristate "Fixed voltage regulator support"
 	help
diff --git a/drivers/regulator/core.c b/drivers/regulator/core.c
index a01b8b3b70ca..8fd170788c3e 100644
--- a/drivers/regulator/core.c
+++ b/drivers/regulator/core.c
@@ -1243,7 +1243,7 @@ static struct regulator_dev *regulator_dev_lookup(struct device *dev,
 
 /* Internal regulator request function */
 static struct regulator *_regulator_get(struct device *dev, const char *id,
-					bool exclusive)
+					bool exclusive, bool allow_dummy)
 {
 	struct regulator_dev *rdev;
 	struct regulator *regulator = ERR_PTR(-EPROBE_DEFER);
@@ -1268,30 +1268,32 @@ static struct regulator *_regulator_get(struct device *dev, const char *id,
 	 * If we have return value from dev_lookup fail, we do not expect to
 	 * succeed, so, quit with appropriate error value
 	 */
-	if (ret) {
+	if (ret && ret != -ENODEV) {
 		regulator = ERR_PTR(ret);
 		goto out;
 	}
 
-	if (board_wants_dummy_regulator) {
-		rdev = dummy_regulator_rdev;
-		goto found;
-	}
-
-#ifdef CONFIG_REGULATOR_DUMMY
 	if (!devname)
 		devname = "deviceless";
 
-	/* If the board didn't flag that it was fully constrained then
-	 * substitute in a dummy regulator so consumers can continue.
+	/*
+	 * Assume that a regulator is physically present and enabled
+	 * even if it isn't hooked up and just provide a dummy.
 	 */
-	if (!has_full_constraints) {
-		pr_warn("%s supply %s not found, using dummy regulator\n",
-			devname, id);
+	if (has_full_constraints && allow_dummy) {
+		/*
+		 * Log the substitution if regulator configuration is
+		 * not complete to help development.
+		 */
+		if (!has_full_constraints)
+			pr_warn("%s supply %s not found, using dummy regulator\n",
+				devname, id);
+
 		rdev = dummy_regulator_rdev;
 		goto found;
+	} else {
+		dev_err(dev, "dummy supplies not allowed\n");
 	}
-#endif
 
 	mutex_unlock(&regulator_list_mutex);
 	return regulator;
@@ -1349,7 +1351,7 @@ static struct regulator *_regulator_get(struct device *dev, const char *id,
  */
 struct regulator *regulator_get(struct device *dev, const char *id)
 {
-	return _regulator_get(dev, id, false);
+	return _regulator_get(dev, id, false, true);
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(regulator_get);
 
@@ -1410,7 +1412,7 @@ EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(devm_regulator_get);
  */
 struct regulator *regulator_get_exclusive(struct device *dev, const char *id)
 {
-	return _regulator_get(dev, id, true);
+	return _regulator_get(dev, id, true, false);
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(regulator_get_exclusive);
 
@@ -1439,7 +1441,7 @@ EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(regulator_get_exclusive);
  */
 struct regulator *regulator_get_optional(struct device *dev, const char *id)
 {
-	return _regulator_get(dev, id, 0);
+	return _regulator_get(dev, id, false, false);
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(regulator_get_optional);