diff --git a/drivers/base/driver.c b/drivers/base/driver.c
index 9e29943e56ca..6b10ff3bb410 100644
--- a/drivers/base/driver.c
+++ b/drivers/base/driver.c
@@ -151,6 +151,9 @@ int driver_register(struct device_driver *drv)
 
 	BUG_ON(!drv->bus->p);
 
+	if (!drv->owner)
+		printk(KERN_WARNING "Driver '%s' needs an owner", drv->name);
+
 	if ((drv->bus->probe && drv->probe) ||
 	    (drv->bus->remove && drv->remove) ||
 	    (drv->bus->shutdown && drv->shutdown))