diff --git a/drivers/thermal/thermal.c b/drivers/thermal/thermal.c
index e782b3e7fcdb..5f1d318f0574 100644
--- a/drivers/thermal/thermal.c
+++ b/drivers/thermal/thermal.c
@@ -306,12 +306,23 @@ int thermal_zone_bind_cooling_device(struct thermal_zone_device *tz,
 {
 	struct thermal_cooling_device_instance *dev;
 	struct thermal_cooling_device_instance *pos;
+	struct thermal_zone_device *pos1;
+	struct thermal_cooling_device *pos2;
 	int result;
 
 	if (trip >= tz->trips || (trip < 0 && trip != THERMAL_TRIPS_NONE))
 		return -EINVAL;
 
-	if (!tz || !cdev)
+	list_for_each_entry(pos1, &thermal_tz_list, node) {
+		if (pos1 == tz)
+			break;
+	}
+	list_for_each_entry(pos2, &thermal_cdev_list, node) {
+		if (pos2 == cdev)
+			break;
+	}
+
+	if (tz != pos1 || cdev != pos2)
 		return -EINVAL;
 
 	dev =