diff --git a/src/emu/dipalette.cpp b/src/emu/dipalette.cpp
index 125f7b2c53c..86af84d8085 100644
--- a/src/emu/dipalette.cpp
+++ b/src/emu/dipalette.cpp
@@ -36,6 +36,20 @@ device_palette_interface::device_palette_interface(const machine_config &mconfig
 }
 
 
+//-------------------------------------------------
+//  interface_validity_check - validation for a
+//  device after the configuration has been
+//  constructed
+//-------------------------------------------------
+
+void device_palette_interface::interface_validity_check(validity_checker &valid) const
+{
+	// this info must be available before the device has started
+	if (palette_entries() == 0)
+		osd_printf_error("Palette has no entries specified\n");
+}
+
+
 //-------------------------------------------------
 //  interface_pre_start - work to be done prior to
 //  actually starting a device
@@ -49,27 +63,24 @@ void device_palette_interface::interface_pre_start()
 
 	// allocate the palette
 	int numentries = palette_entries();
-	if (numentries > 0)
+	allocate_palette(numentries);
+	allocate_color_tables();
+	allocate_shadow_tables();
+
+	// allocate indirection tables
+	int indirect_colors = palette_indirect_entries();
+	if (indirect_colors > 0)
 	{
-		allocate_palette(numentries);
-		allocate_color_tables();
-		allocate_shadow_tables();
-
-		// allocate indirection tables
-		int indirect_colors = palette_indirect_entries();
-		if (indirect_colors > 0)
+		m_indirect_colors.resize(indirect_colors);
+		for (int color = 0; color < indirect_colors; color++)
 		{
-			m_indirect_colors.resize(indirect_colors);
-			for (int color = 0; color < indirect_colors; color++)
-			{
-				// alpha = 0 ensures change is detected the first time set_indirect_color() is called
-				m_indirect_colors[color] = rgb_t::transparent();
-			}
-
-			m_indirect_pens.resize(numentries);
-			for (int pen = 0; pen < numentries; pen++)
-				m_indirect_pens[pen] = pen % indirect_colors;
+			// alpha = 0 ensures change is detected the first time set_indirect_color() is called
+			m_indirect_colors[color] = rgb_t::transparent();
 		}
+
+		m_indirect_pens.resize(numentries);
+		for (int pen = 0; pen < numentries; pen++)
+			m_indirect_pens[pen] = pen % indirect_colors;
 	}
 }
 
@@ -330,6 +341,8 @@ void device_palette_interface::set_shadow_dRGB32(int mode, int dr, int dg, int d
 
 void device_palette_interface::allocate_palette(int numentries)
 {
+	assert(numentries > 0);
+
 	// determine the number of groups we need
 	int numgroups = 1;
 	if (palette_shadows_enabled())
diff --git a/src/emu/dipalette.h b/src/emu/dipalette.h
index ed0a6f31a39..4a1e5ea7d8d 100644
--- a/src/emu/dipalette.h
+++ b/src/emu/dipalette.h
@@ -46,8 +46,8 @@ public:
 	device_palette_interface(const machine_config &mconfig, device_t &device);
 
 	// getters
-	int entries() const { return (m_palette != nullptr) ? m_palette->num_colors() : 0; }
-	int indirect_entries() const { return m_indirect_colors.size(); }
+	int entries() const { return palette_entries(); }
+	int indirect_entries() const { return palette_indirect_entries(); }
 	palette_t *palette() const { return m_palette; }
 	const pen_t &pen(int index) const { return m_pens[index]; }
 	const pen_t *pens() const { return m_pens; }
@@ -56,8 +56,8 @@ public:
 	double pen_contrast(pen_t pen) const { return m_palette->entry_contrast(pen); }
 	pen_t black_pen() const { return m_black_pen; }
 	pen_t white_pen() const { return m_white_pen; }
-	bool shadows_enabled() const { return m_shadow_group != 0; }
-	bool hilights_enabled() const { return m_hilight_group != 0; }
+	bool shadows_enabled() const { return palette_shadows_enabled(); }
+	bool hilights_enabled() const { return palette_hilights_enabled(); }
 
 	// setters
 	void set_pen_color(pen_t pen, rgb_t rgb) { m_palette->entry_set_color(pen, rgb); }
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ public:
 
 protected:
 	// interface-level overrides
+	virtual void interface_validity_check(validity_checker &valid) const override;
 	virtual void interface_pre_start() override;
 	virtual void interface_post_start() override;
 	virtual void interface_pre_save() override;