diff --git a/drivers/core/device.c b/drivers/core/device.c
index 779f371b9d5..0ae09f5a4e3 100644
--- a/drivers/core/device.c
+++ b/drivers/core/device.c
@@ -285,6 +285,14 @@ int device_reparent(struct udevice *dev, struct udevice *new_parent)
 	assert(dev);
 	assert(new_parent);
 
+	if (!dev->parent) {
+		assert(list_empty(&dev->sibling_node));
+
+		list_add_tail(&dev->sibling_node, &new_parent->child_head);
+		dev->parent = new_parent;
+		return 0;
+	}
+
 	device_foreach_child_safe(pos, n, dev->parent) {
 		if (pos->driver != dev->driver)
 			continue;