diff --git a/drivers/usb/core/message.c b/drivers/usb/core/message.c
index 041c68ea329f..7ca908704777 100644
--- a/drivers/usb/core/message.c
+++ b/drivers/usb/core/message.c
@@ -647,6 +647,9 @@ int usb_get_descriptor(struct usb_device *dev, unsigned char type,
 	int i;
 	int result;
 
+	if (size <= 0)		/* No point in asking for no data */
+		return -EINVAL;
+
 	memset(buf, 0, size);	/* Make sure we parse really received data */
 
 	for (i = 0; i < 3; ++i) {
@@ -695,6 +698,9 @@ static int usb_get_string(struct usb_device *dev, unsigned short langid,
 	int i;
 	int result;
 
+	if (size <= 0)		/* No point in asking for no data */
+		return -EINVAL;
+
 	for (i = 0; i < 3; ++i) {
 		/* retry on length 0 or stall; some devices are flakey */
 		result = usb_control_msg(dev, usb_rcvctrlpipe(dev, 0),