diff --git a/multimedia/tvheadend/files/tvheadend.init b/multimedia/tvheadend/files/tvheadend.init
index afc55dcd74..7725599560 100644
--- a/multimedia/tvheadend/files/tvheadend.init
+++ b/multimedia/tvheadend/files/tvheadend.init
@@ -81,10 +81,13 @@ load_uci_config() {
 
 start_service() {
 	ensure_config_exists
+	for dev in /dev/dvb/*; do
+		[ -e "$dev" ] || continue
+		chgrp -R $TVH_GROUP "$dev"
+		chmod -R g+rwX "$dev"
+	done
 	procd_open_instance
 	procd_set_param file /etc/config/tvheadend
-	chgrp -R $TVH_GROUP /dev/dvb/*
-	chmod -R g+rwX /dev/dvb/*
 	procd_set_param command "$PROG" -B -u $TVH_USER -g $TVH_GROUP
 	load_uci_config
 	procd_close_instance