diff --git a/arch/frv/Kconfig b/arch/frv/Kconfig
index 3516a3aee820..61261b78ced7 100644
--- a/arch/frv/Kconfig
+++ b/arch/frv/Kconfig
@@ -274,6 +274,11 @@ config GPREL_DATA_NONE
 
 endchoice
 
+config FRV_ONCPU_SERIAL
+	bool "Use on-CPU serial ports"
+	select SERIAL_8250
+	default y
+
 config PCI
 	bool "Use PCI"
 	depends on MB93090_MB00
diff --git a/arch/frv/kernel/setup.c b/arch/frv/kernel/setup.c
index 767ebb55bd83..5908deae9607 100644
--- a/arch/frv/kernel/setup.c
+++ b/arch/frv/kernel/setup.c
@@ -787,6 +787,7 @@ void __init setup_arch(char **cmdline_p)
 #endif
 
 	/* register those serial ports that are available */
+#ifdef CONFIG_FRV_ONCPU_SERIAL
 #ifndef CONFIG_GDBSTUB_UART0
 	__reg(UART0_BASE + UART_IER * 8) = 0;
 	early_serial_setup(&__frv_uart0);
@@ -795,6 +796,7 @@ void __init setup_arch(char **cmdline_p)
 	__reg(UART1_BASE + UART_IER * 8) = 0;
 	early_serial_setup(&__frv_uart1);
 #endif
+#endif
 
 #if defined(CONFIG_CHR_DEV_FLASH) || defined(CONFIG_BLK_DEV_FLASH)
 	/* we need to initialize the Flashrom device here since we might