diff --git a/drivers/video/vfb.c b/drivers/video/vfb.c
index 072638a9528a..93fe08d6c78f 100644
--- a/drivers/video/vfb.c
+++ b/drivers/video/vfb.c
@@ -443,19 +443,29 @@ static int vfb_mmap(struct fb_info *info,
 }
 
 #ifndef MODULE
+/*
+ * The virtual framebuffer driver is only enabled if explicitly
+ * requested by passing 'video=vfb:' (or any actual options).
+ */
 static int __init vfb_setup(char *options)
 {
 	char *this_opt;
 
+	vfb_enable = 0;
+
+	if (!options)
+		return 1;
+
 	vfb_enable = 1;
 
-	if (!options || !*options)
+	if (!*options)
 		return 1;
 
 	while ((this_opt = strsep(&options, ",")) != NULL) {
 		if (!*this_opt)
 			continue;
-		if (!strncmp(this_opt, "disable", 7))
+		/* Test disable for backwards compatibility */
+		if (!strcmp(this_opt, "disable"))
 			vfb_enable = 0;
 	}
 	return 1;