diff --git a/drivers/tty/serial/imx.c b/drivers/tty/serial/imx.c
index 46769168fab7..aa07301df262 100644
--- a/drivers/tty/serial/imx.c
+++ b/drivers/tty/serial/imx.c
@@ -1224,11 +1224,32 @@ static int imx_startup(struct uart_port *port)
 	temp |= (UCR2_RXEN | UCR2_TXEN);
 	if (!sport->have_rtscts)
 		temp |= UCR2_IRTS;
+	/*
+	 * make sure the edge sensitive RTS-irq is disabled,
+	 * we're using RTSD instead.
+	 */
+	if (!is_imx1_uart(sport))
+		temp &= ~UCR2_RTSEN;
 	writel(temp, sport->port.membase + UCR2);
 
 	if (!is_imx1_uart(sport)) {
 		temp = readl(sport->port.membase + UCR3);
-		temp |= IMX21_UCR3_RXDMUXSEL | UCR3_ADNIMP;
+
+		/*
+		 * The effect of RI and DCD differs depending on the UFCR_DCEDTE
+		 * bit. In DCE mode they control the outputs, in DTE mode they
+		 * enable the respective irqs. At least the DCD irq cannot be
+		 * cleared on i.MX25 at least, so it's not usable and must be
+		 * disabled. I don't have test hardware to check if RI has the
+		 * same problem but I consider this likely so it's disabled for
+		 * now, too.
+		 */
+		temp |= IMX21_UCR3_RXDMUXSEL | UCR3_ADNIMP |
+			UCR3_RI | UCR3_DCD;
+
+		if (sport->dte_mode)
+			temp &= ~(UCR3_RI | UCR3_DCD);
+
 		writel(temp, sport->port.membase + UCR3);
 	}