diff --git a/checks.c b/checks.c
index 16bc7f6..8ed7a60 100644
--- a/checks.c
+++ b/checks.c
@@ -1767,6 +1767,11 @@ static void check_graph_nodes(struct check *c, struct dt_info *dti,
 		      get_property(child, "remote-endpoint")))
 			continue;
 
+                /* The root node cannot be a port */
+		if (!node->parent) {
+			FAIL(c, dti, node, "root node contains endpoint node '%s', potentially misplaced remote-endpoint property", child->name);
+			continue;
+		}
 		node->bus = &graph_port_bus;
 
 		/* The parent of 'port' nodes can be either 'ports' or a device */