diff --git a/soapy_source/src/main.cpp b/soapy_source/src/main.cpp
index 8314fb26..646e775d 100644
--- a/soapy_source/src/main.cpp
+++ b/soapy_source/src/main.cpp
@@ -296,6 +296,11 @@ private:
     static void start(void* ctx) {
         SoapyModule* _this = (SoapyModule*)ctx;
         if (_this->running) { return; }
+        if (_this->devId < 0) {
+            spdlog::error("No device available");
+            return;
+        }
+
         _this->dev = SoapySDR::Device::make(_this->devArgs);
 
         _this->dev->setSampleRate(SOAPY_SDR_RX, _this->channelId, _this->sampleRate);