diff --git a/stand/i386/libi386/vbe.c b/stand/i386/libi386/vbe.c
index 00b9ab7ae0dc..61633567d056 100644
--- a/stand/i386/libi386/vbe.c
+++ b/stand/i386/libi386/vbe.c
@@ -1125,6 +1125,9 @@ vbe_default_mode(void)
 	int modenum;
 	uint32_t width, height;
 
+	if (!vbe_check())
+		return (0);
+
 	modenum = 0;
 	vbe_get_max_resolution(&width, &height);
 	if (width != 0 && height != 0)