diff --git a/drivers/dma/pl330.c b/drivers/dma/pl330.c
index e4feba6b03c..a3b26ada812 100644
--- a/drivers/dma/pl330.c
+++ b/drivers/dma/pl330.c
@@ -1567,17 +1567,19 @@ static int pl330_submit_req(void *ch_id, struct pl330_req *r)
 		goto xfer_exit;
 	}
 
-	/* Prefer Secure Channel */
-	if (!_manager_ns(thrd))
-		r->cfg->nonsecure = 0;
-	else
-		r->cfg->nonsecure = 1;
 
 	/* Use last settings, if not provided */
-	if (r->cfg)
+	if (r->cfg) {
+		/* Prefer Secure Channel */
+		if (!_manager_ns(thrd))
+			r->cfg->nonsecure = 0;
+		else
+			r->cfg->nonsecure = 1;
+
 		ccr = _prepare_ccr(r->cfg);
-	else
+	} else {
 		ccr = readl(regs + CC(thrd->id));
+	}
 
 	/* If this req doesn't have valid xfer settings */
 	if (!_is_valid(ccr)) {