diff --git a/sound/isa/sb/sb16_main.c b/sound/isa/sb/sb16_main.c
index a9b87e159b2d..5efbd0a41312 100644
--- a/sound/isa/sb/sb16_main.c
+++ b/sound/isa/sb/sb16_main.c
@@ -703,6 +703,9 @@ static int snd_sb16_dma_control_put(struct snd_kcontrol *kcontrol, struct snd_ct
 	unsigned char nval, oval;
 	int change;
 	
+	if (chip->mode & (SB_MODE_PLAYBACK | SB_MODE_CAPTURE))
+		return -EBUSY;
+
 	nval = ucontrol->value.enumerated.item[0];
 	if (nval > 2)
 		return -EINVAL;