diff --git a/src/devices/machine/i8251.cpp b/src/devices/machine/i8251.cpp
index 2ef674ec1c0..03cba758bbf 100644
--- a/src/devices/machine/i8251.cpp
+++ b/src/devices/machine/i8251.cpp
@@ -85,10 +85,12 @@ v5x_scu_device::v5x_scu_device(const machine_config &mconfig, const char *tag, d
 
 
 //-------------------------------------------------
-//  device_start - device-specific startup
+//  device_resolve_objects - resolve objects that
+//  may be needed for other devices to set
+//  initial conditions at start time
 //-------------------------------------------------
 
-void i8251_device::device_start()
+void i8251_device::device_resolve_objects()
 {
 	// resolve callbacks
 	m_txd_handler.resolve_safe();
@@ -98,6 +100,14 @@ void i8251_device::device_start()
 	m_txrdy_handler.resolve_safe();
 	m_txempty_handler.resolve_safe();
 	m_syndet_handler.resolve_safe();
+}
+
+//-------------------------------------------------
+//  device_start - device-specific startup
+//-------------------------------------------------
+
+void i8251_device::device_start()
+{
 	save_item(NAME(m_flags));
 	save_item(NAME(m_sync_byte_count));
 	save_item(NAME(m_status));
diff --git a/src/devices/machine/i8251.h b/src/devices/machine/i8251.h
index 44f912eaa60..2bda850958e 100644
--- a/src/devices/machine/i8251.h
+++ b/src/devices/machine/i8251.h
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ protected:
 			uint32_t clock);
 
 	// device-level overrides
+	virtual void device_resolve_objects() override;
 	virtual void device_start() override;
 	virtual void device_reset() override;