diff --git a/arch/arm/mach-mvebu/spl.c b/arch/arm/mach-mvebu/spl.c
index a72a769..2fd6c62 100644
--- a/arch/arm/mach-mvebu/spl.c
+++ b/arch/arm/mach-mvebu/spl.c
@@ -26,7 +26,16 @@
 	val = readl(CONFIG_BOOTROM_ERR_REG);
 	boot_device = (val & BOOTROM_ERR_MODE_MASK) >> BOOTROM_ERR_MODE_OFFS;
 	debug("BOOTROM_REG=0x%08x boot_device=0x%x\n", val, boot_device);
+#if defined(CONFIG_ARMADA_38X)
+	/*
+	 * If the bootrom error register contains any else than zeros
+	 * in the first 8 bits it's an error condition. And in that case
+	 * try to boot from UART.
+	 */
+	if (boot_device)
+#else
 	if (boot_device == BOOTROM_ERR_MODE_UART)
+#endif
 		return BOOT_DEVICE_UART;
 
 	/*