diff --git a/drivers/accessibility/speakup/main.c b/drivers/accessibility/speakup/main.c
index 63c5444f0f1aea7c5ae41e19fecd0eb3b1a6e5fe..7598778cf37fbd8864985b0d47a54aa83985ef6c 100644
--- a/drivers/accessibility/speakup/main.c
+++ b/drivers/accessibility/speakup/main.c
@@ -576,7 +576,7 @@ static u_long get_word(struct vc_data *vc)
 	}
 	attr_ch = get_char(vc, (u_short *)tmp_pos, &spk_attr);
 	buf[cnt++] = attr_ch;
-	while (tmpx < vc->vc_cols - 1) {
+	while (tmpx < vc->vc_cols - 1 && cnt < sizeof(buf) - 1) {
 		tmp_pos += 2;
 		tmpx++;
 		ch = get_char(vc, (u_short *)tmp_pos, &temp);