diff --git a/src/flash/nor/aduc702x.c b/src/flash/nor/aduc702x.c
index 34cc362eb..824112b1b 100644
--- a/src/flash/nor/aduc702x.c
+++ b/src/flash/nor/aduc702x.c
@@ -74,12 +74,6 @@ static int aduc702x_build_sector_list(struct flash_bank *bank)
 	return ERROR_OK;
 }
 
-static int aduc702x_protect_check(struct flash_bank *bank)
-{
-	printf("aduc702x_protect_check not implemented yet.\n");
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 static int aduc702x_erase(struct flash_bank *bank, int first, int last)
 {
 	/* int res; */
@@ -130,12 +124,6 @@ static int aduc702x_erase(struct flash_bank *bank, int first, int last)
 	return ERROR_OK;
 }
 
-static int aduc702x_protect(struct flash_bank *bank, int set, int first, int last)
-{
-	printf("aduc702x_protect not implemented yet.\n");
-	return ERROR_FLASH_OPERATION_FAILED;
-}
-
 /* If this fn returns ERROR_TARGET_RESOURCE_NOT_AVAILABLE, then the caller can fall
  * back to another mechanism that does not require onboard RAM
  *
@@ -394,11 +382,9 @@ struct flash_driver aduc702x_flash = {
 	.name = "aduc702x",
 	.flash_bank_command = aduc702x_flash_bank_command,
 	.erase = aduc702x_erase,
-	.protect = aduc702x_protect,
 	.write = aduc702x_write,
 	.read = default_flash_read,
 	.probe = aduc702x_probe,
 	.auto_probe = aduc702x_probe,
 	.erase_check = default_flash_blank_check,
-	.protect_check = aduc702x_protect_check,
 };
diff --git a/src/flash/nor/aducm360.c b/src/flash/nor/aducm360.c
index 8681a25af..766378347 100644
--- a/src/flash/nor/aducm360.c
+++ b/src/flash/nor/aducm360.c
@@ -102,13 +102,6 @@ static int aducm360_build_sector_list(struct flash_bank *bank)
 	return ERROR_OK;
 }
 
-/* ----------------------------------------------------------------------- */
-static int aducm360_protect_check(struct flash_bank *bank)
-{
-	LOG_WARNING("aducm360_protect_check not implemented.");
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 /* ----------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 static int aducm360_mass_erase(struct target *target)
 {
@@ -194,13 +187,6 @@ static int aducm360_erase(struct flash_bank *bank, int first, int last)
 	return res;
 }
 
-/* ----------------------------------------------------------------------- */
-static int aducm360_protect(struct flash_bank *bank, int set, int first, int last)
-{
-	LOG_ERROR("aducm360_protect not implemented.");
-	return ERROR_FLASH_OPERATION_FAILED;
-}
-
 /* ----------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 static int aducm360_write_block_sync(
 		struct flash_bank *bank,
@@ -572,11 +558,9 @@ struct flash_driver aducm360_flash = {
 	.name = "aducm360",
 	.flash_bank_command = aducm360_flash_bank_command,
 	.erase = aducm360_erase,
-	.protect = aducm360_protect,
 	.write = aducm360_write,
 	.read = default_flash_read,
 	.probe = aducm360_probe,
 	.auto_probe = aducm360_probe,
 	.erase_check = default_flash_blank_check,
-	.protect_check = aducm360_protect_check,
 };
diff --git a/src/flash/nor/avrf.c b/src/flash/nor/avrf.c
index 65ac6015f..b88f6f61c 100644
--- a/src/flash/nor/avrf.c
+++ b/src/flash/nor/avrf.c
@@ -233,12 +233,6 @@ static int avrf_erase(struct flash_bank *bank, int first, int last)
 	return avr_jtagprg_leaveprogmode(avr);
 }
 
-static int avrf_protect(struct flash_bank *bank, int set, int first, int last)
-{
-	LOG_INFO("%s", __func__);
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 static int avrf_write(struct flash_bank *bank, const uint8_t *buffer, uint32_t offset, uint32_t count)
 {
 	struct target *target = bank->target;
@@ -338,7 +332,7 @@ static int avrf_probe(struct flash_bank *bank)
 			bank->sectors[i].offset = i * avr_info->flash_page_size;
 			bank->sectors[i].size = avr_info->flash_page_size;
 			bank->sectors[i].is_erased = -1;
-			bank->sectors[i].is_protected = 1;
+			bank->sectors[i].is_protected = -1;
 		}
 
 		avrf_info->probed = 1;
@@ -360,12 +354,6 @@ static int avrf_auto_probe(struct flash_bank *bank)
 	return avrf_probe(bank);
 }
 
-static int avrf_protect_check(struct flash_bank *bank)
-{
-	LOG_INFO("%s", __func__);
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 static int avrf_info(struct flash_bank *bank, char *buf, int buf_size)
 {
 	struct target *target = bank->target;
@@ -479,13 +467,11 @@ struct flash_driver avr_flash = {
 	.commands = avrf_command_handlers,
 	.flash_bank_command = avrf_flash_bank_command,
 	.erase = avrf_erase,
-	.protect = avrf_protect,
 	.write = avrf_write,
 	.read = default_flash_read,
 	.probe = avrf_probe,
 	.auto_probe = avrf_auto_probe,
 	.erase_check = default_flash_blank_check,
-	.protect_check = avrf_protect_check,
 	.info = avrf_info,
 	.free_driver_priv = default_flash_free_driver_priv,
 };
diff --git a/src/flash/nor/cc26xx.c b/src/flash/nor/cc26xx.c
index e6e9e5999..7b8744143 100644
--- a/src/flash/nor/cc26xx.c
+++ b/src/flash/nor/cc26xx.c
@@ -312,12 +312,6 @@ static int cc26xx_erase(struct flash_bank *bank, int first, int last)
 	return retval;
 }
 
-static int cc26xx_protect(struct flash_bank *bank, int set, int first,
-	int last)
-{
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 static int cc26xx_write(struct flash_bank *bank, const uint8_t *buffer,
 	uint32_t offset, uint32_t count)
 {
@@ -508,11 +502,6 @@ static int cc26xx_auto_probe(struct flash_bank *bank)
 	return retval;
 }
 
-static int cc26xx_protect_check(struct flash_bank *bank)
-{
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 static int cc26xx_info(struct flash_bank *bank, char *buf, int buf_size)
 {
 	struct cc26xx_bank *cc26xx_bank = bank->driver_priv;
@@ -555,13 +544,11 @@ struct flash_driver cc26xx_flash = {
 	.name = "cc26xx",
 	.flash_bank_command = cc26xx_flash_bank_command,
 	.erase = cc26xx_erase,
-	.protect = cc26xx_protect,
 	.write = cc26xx_write,
 	.read = default_flash_read,
 	.probe = cc26xx_probe,
 	.auto_probe = cc26xx_auto_probe,
 	.erase_check = default_flash_blank_check,
-	.protect_check = cc26xx_protect_check,
 	.info = cc26xx_info,
 	.free_driver_priv = default_flash_free_driver_priv,
 };
diff --git a/src/flash/nor/cc3220sf.c b/src/flash/nor/cc3220sf.c
index af45743b9..5ccb428a8 100644
--- a/src/flash/nor/cc3220sf.c
+++ b/src/flash/nor/cc3220sf.c
@@ -173,12 +173,6 @@ static int cc3220sf_erase(struct flash_bank *bank, int first, int last)
 	return retval;
 }
 
-static int cc3220sf_protect(struct flash_bank *bank, int set, int first,
-	int last)
-{
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 static int cc3220sf_write(struct flash_bank *bank, const uint8_t *buffer,
 	uint32_t offset, uint32_t count)
 {
@@ -496,11 +490,6 @@ static int cc3220sf_auto_probe(struct flash_bank *bank)
 	return retval;
 }
 
-static int cc3220sf_protect_check(struct flash_bank *bank)
-{
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 static int cc3220sf_info(struct flash_bank *bank, char *buf, int buf_size)
 {
 	int printed;
@@ -517,13 +506,11 @@ struct flash_driver cc3220sf_flash = {
 	.name = "cc3220sf",
 	.flash_bank_command = cc3220sf_flash_bank_command,
 	.erase = cc3220sf_erase,
-	.protect = cc3220sf_protect,
 	.write = cc3220sf_write,
 	.read = default_flash_read,
 	.probe = cc3220sf_probe,
 	.auto_probe = cc3220sf_auto_probe,
 	.erase_check = default_flash_blank_check,
-	.protect_check = cc3220sf_protect_check,
 	.info = cc3220sf_info,
 	.free_driver_priv = default_flash_free_driver_priv,
 };
diff --git a/src/flash/nor/cfi.c b/src/flash/nor/cfi.c
index 0ae72d4a2..a2db50f33 100644
--- a/src/flash/nor/cfi.c
+++ b/src/flash/nor/cfi.c
@@ -1098,11 +1098,6 @@ static int cfi_protect(struct flash_bank *bank, int set, int first, int last)
 		return ERROR_TARGET_NOT_HALTED;
 	}
 
-	if ((first < 0) || (last < first) || (last >= bank->num_sectors)) {
-		LOG_ERROR("Invalid sector range");
-		return ERROR_FLASH_SECTOR_INVALID;
-	}
-
 	if (cfi_info->qry[0] != 'Q')
 		return ERROR_FLASH_BANK_NOT_PROBED;
 
diff --git a/src/flash/nor/core.c b/src/flash/nor/core.c
index 49412816c..0aaa7d26f 100644
--- a/src/flash/nor/core.c
+++ b/src/flash/nor/core.c
@@ -68,6 +68,11 @@ int flash_driver_protect(struct flash_bank *bank, int set, int first, int last)
 	/* force "set" to 0/1 */
 	set = !!set;
 
+	if (bank->driver->protect == NULL) {
+		LOG_ERROR("Flash protection is not supported.");
+		return ERROR_FLASH_OPER_UNSUPPORTED;
+	}
+
 	/* DANGER!
 	 *
 	 * We must not use any cached information about protection state!!!!
diff --git a/src/flash/nor/driver.h b/src/flash/nor/driver.h
index e7b323443..ef69a0f42 100644
--- a/src/flash/nor/driver.h
+++ b/src/flash/nor/driver.h
@@ -109,6 +109,8 @@ struct flash_driver {
 	/**
 	 * Bank/sector protection routine (target-specific).
 	 *
+	 * If protection is not implemented, set method to NULL
+	 *
 	 * When called, the driver should enable/disable protection
 	 * for MINIMUM the range covered by first..last sectors
 	 * inclusive. Some chips have alignment requirements will
@@ -178,6 +180,8 @@ struct flash_driver {
 	 * flash_sector_s::is_protected field for each of the flash
 	 * bank's sectors.
 	 *
+	 * If protection is not implemented, set method to NULL
+	 *
 	 * @param bank - the bank to check
 	 * @returns ERROR_OK if successful; otherwise, an error code.
 	 */
diff --git a/src/flash/nor/faux.c b/src/flash/nor/faux.c
index 46eda7223..d68940fc6 100644
--- a/src/flash/nor/faux.c
+++ b/src/flash/nor/faux.c
@@ -85,12 +85,6 @@ static int faux_erase(struct flash_bank *bank, int first, int last)
 	return ERROR_OK;
 }
 
-static int faux_protect(struct flash_bank *bank, int set, int first, int last)
-{
-	LOG_USER("set protection sector %d to %d to %s", first, last, set ? "on" : "off");
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 static int faux_write(struct flash_bank *bank, const uint8_t *buffer, uint32_t offset, uint32_t count)
 {
 	struct faux_flash_bank *info = bank->driver_priv;
@@ -98,11 +92,6 @@ static int faux_write(struct flash_bank *bank, const uint8_t *buffer, uint32_t o
 	return ERROR_OK;
 }
 
-static int faux_protect_check(struct flash_bank *bank)
-{
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 static int faux_info(struct flash_bank *bank, char *buf, int buf_size)
 {
 	snprintf(buf, buf_size, "faux flash driver");
@@ -129,13 +118,11 @@ struct flash_driver faux_flash = {
 	.commands = faux_command_handlers,
 	.flash_bank_command = faux_flash_bank_command,
 	.erase = faux_erase,
-	.protect = faux_protect,
 	.write = faux_write,
 	.read = default_flash_read,
 	.probe = faux_probe,
 	.auto_probe = faux_probe,
 	.erase_check = default_flash_blank_check,
-	.protect_check = faux_protect_check,
 	.info = faux_info,
 	.free_driver_priv = default_flash_free_driver_priv,
 };
diff --git a/src/flash/nor/fm4.c b/src/flash/nor/fm4.c
index f5eab9c5b..d4d0f76b4 100644
--- a/src/flash/nor/fm4.c
+++ b/src/flash/nor/fm4.c
@@ -537,11 +537,6 @@ static int fm4_auto_probe(struct flash_bank *bank)
 	return fm4_probe(bank);
 }
 
-static int fm4_protect_check(struct flash_bank *bank)
-{
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 static int fm4_get_info_command(struct flash_bank *bank, char *buf, int buf_size)
 {
 	struct fm4_flash_bank *fm4_bank = bank->driver_priv;
@@ -714,7 +709,6 @@ struct flash_driver fm4_flash = {
 	.info = fm4_get_info_command,
 	.probe = fm4_probe,
 	.auto_probe = fm4_auto_probe,
-	.protect_check = fm4_protect_check,
 	.read = default_flash_read,
 	.erase = fm4_flash_erase,
 	.erase_check = default_flash_blank_check,
diff --git a/src/flash/nor/jtagspi.c b/src/flash/nor/jtagspi.c
index c28ad22f7..c5c565f2a 100644
--- a/src/flash/nor/jtagspi.c
+++ b/src/flash/nor/jtagspi.c
@@ -343,21 +343,11 @@ static int jtagspi_protect(struct flash_bank *bank, int set, int first, int last
 {
 	int sector;
 
-	if ((first < 0) || (last < first) || (last >= bank->num_sectors)) {
-		LOG_ERROR("Flash sector invalid");
-		return ERROR_FLASH_SECTOR_INVALID;
-	}
-
 	for (sector = first; sector <= last; sector++)
 		bank->sectors[sector].is_protected = set;
 	return ERROR_OK;
 }
 
-static int jtagspi_protect_check(struct flash_bank *bank)
-{
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 static int jtagspi_read(struct flash_bank *bank, uint8_t *buffer, uint32_t offset, uint32_t count)
 {
 	struct jtagspi_flash_bank *info = bank->driver_priv;
@@ -431,7 +421,6 @@ struct flash_driver jtagspi_flash = {
 	.probe = jtagspi_probe,
 	.auto_probe = jtagspi_probe,
 	.erase_check = default_flash_blank_check,
-	.protect_check = jtagspi_protect_check,
 	.info = jtagspi_info,
 	.free_driver_priv = default_flash_free_driver_priv,
 };
diff --git a/src/flash/nor/lpc2000.c b/src/flash/nor/lpc2000.c
index 8e15c3122..77beac1ca 100644
--- a/src/flash/nor/lpc2000.c
+++ b/src/flash/nor/lpc2000.c
@@ -1018,12 +1018,6 @@ static int lpc2000_erase(struct flash_bank *bank, int first, int last)
 	return retval;
 }
 
-static int lpc2000_protect(struct flash_bank *bank, int set, int first, int last)
-{
-	/* can't protect/unprotect on the lpc2000 */
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 static int lpc2000_write(struct flash_bank *bank, const uint8_t *buffer, uint32_t offset, uint32_t count)
 {
 	struct target *target = bank->target;
@@ -1501,12 +1495,6 @@ static int lpc2000_erase_check(struct flash_bank *bank)
 	return lpc2000_iap_blank_check(bank, 0, bank->num_sectors - 1);
 }
 
-static int lpc2000_protect_check(struct flash_bank *bank)
-{
-	/* sectors are always protected	*/
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 static int get_lpc2000_info(struct flash_bank *bank, char *buf, int buf_size)
 {
 	struct lpc2000_flash_bank *lpc2000_info = bank->driver_priv;
@@ -1571,13 +1559,11 @@ struct flash_driver lpc2000_flash = {
 	.commands = lpc2000_command_handlers,
 	.flash_bank_command = lpc2000_flash_bank_command,
 	.erase = lpc2000_erase,
-	.protect = lpc2000_protect,
 	.write = lpc2000_write,
 	.read = default_flash_read,
 	.probe = lpc2000_probe,
 	.auto_probe = lpc2000_probe,
 	.erase_check = lpc2000_erase_check,
-	.protect_check = lpc2000_protect_check,
 	.info = get_lpc2000_info,
 	.free_driver_priv = default_flash_free_driver_priv,
 };
diff --git a/src/flash/nor/lpc288x.c b/src/flash/nor/lpc288x.c
index 24729138a..474e721eb 100644
--- a/src/flash/nor/lpc288x.c
+++ b/src/flash/nor/lpc288x.c
@@ -167,6 +167,7 @@ static int lpc288x_read_part_info(struct flash_bank *bank)
 	return ERROR_OK;
 }
 
+/* TODO: Revisit! Is it impossible to read protection status? */
 static int lpc288x_protect_check(struct flash_bank *bank)
 {
 	return ERROR_OK;
diff --git a/src/flash/nor/lpc2900.c b/src/flash/nor/lpc2900.c
index 1c65933e2..022fb82a3 100644
--- a/src/flash/nor/lpc2900.c
+++ b/src/flash/nor/lpc2900.c
@@ -1035,18 +1035,13 @@ static int lpc2900_erase(struct flash_bank *bank, int first, int last)
 	return ERROR_OK;
 }
 
-static int lpc2900_protect(struct flash_bank *bank, int set, int first, int last)
-{
-	/* This command is not supported.
-	* "Protection" in LPC2900 terms is handled transparently. Sectors will
-	* automatically be unprotected as needed.
-	* Instead we use the concept of sector security. A secured sector is shown
-	* as "protected" in OpenOCD. Sector security is a permanent feature, and
-	* cannot be disabled once activated.
-	*/
-
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
+/* lpc2900_protect command is not supported.
+* "Protection" in LPC2900 terms is handled transparently. Sectors will
+* automatically be unprotected as needed.
+* Instead we use the concept of sector security. A secured sector is shown
+* as "protected" in OpenOCD. Sector security is a permanent feature, and
+* cannot be disabled once activated.
+*/
 
 /**
  * Write data to flash.
@@ -1591,7 +1586,6 @@ struct flash_driver lpc2900_flash = {
 	.commands = lpc2900_command_handlers,
 	.flash_bank_command = lpc2900_flash_bank_command,
 	.erase = lpc2900_erase,
-	.protect = lpc2900_protect,
 	.write = lpc2900_write,
 	.read = default_flash_read,
 	.probe = lpc2900_probe,
diff --git a/src/flash/nor/mdr.c b/src/flash/nor/mdr.c
index f3916ded9..c4a4458f9 100644
--- a/src/flash/nor/mdr.c
+++ b/src/flash/nor/mdr.c
@@ -86,11 +86,6 @@ FLASH_BANK_COMMAND_HANDLER(mdr_flash_bank_command)
 	return ERROR_OK;
 }
 
-static int mdr_protect_check(struct flash_bank *bank)
-{
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 static int mdr_mass_erase(struct flash_bank *bank)
 {
 	struct target *target = bank->target;
@@ -217,11 +212,6 @@ reset_pg_and_lock:
 	return retval;
 }
 
-static int mdr_protect(struct flash_bank *bank, int set, int first, int last)
-{
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 static int mdr_write_block(struct flash_bank *bank, const uint8_t *buffer,
 		uint32_t offset, uint32_t count)
 {
@@ -625,13 +615,11 @@ struct flash_driver mdr_flash = {
 	"<type>: 0 for main memory, 1 for info memory",
 	.flash_bank_command = mdr_flash_bank_command,
 	.erase = mdr_erase,
-	.protect = mdr_protect,
 	.write = mdr_write,
 	.read = mdr_read,
 	.probe = mdr_probe,
 	.auto_probe = mdr_auto_probe,
 	.erase_check = default_flash_blank_check,
-	.protect_check = mdr_protect_check,
 	.info = get_mdr_info,
 	.free_driver_priv = default_flash_free_driver_priv,
 };
diff --git a/src/flash/nor/mrvlqspi.c b/src/flash/nor/mrvlqspi.c
index eda6cc1ad..132e5f36b 100644
--- a/src/flash/nor/mrvlqspi.c
+++ b/src/flash/nor/mrvlqspi.c
@@ -899,12 +899,6 @@ static int mrvlqspi_flash_erase_check(struct flash_bank *bank)
 	return ERROR_OK;
 }
 
-static int mrvlqspi_protect_check(struct flash_bank *bank)
-{
-	/* Not implemented yet */
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 int mrvlqspi_get_info(struct flash_bank *bank, char *buf, int buf_size)
 {
 	struct mrvlqspi_flash_bank *mrvlqspi_info = bank->driver_priv;
@@ -947,13 +941,11 @@ struct flash_driver mrvlqspi_flash = {
 	.name = "mrvlqspi",
 	.flash_bank_command = mrvlqspi_flash_bank_command,
 	.erase = mrvlqspi_flash_erase,
-	.protect = NULL,
 	.write = mrvlqspi_flash_write,
 	.read = mrvlqspi_flash_read,
 	.probe = mrvlqspi_probe,
 	.auto_probe = mrvlqspi_auto_probe,
 	.erase_check = mrvlqspi_flash_erase_check,
-	.protect_check = mrvlqspi_protect_check,
 	.info = mrvlqspi_get_info,
 	.free_driver_priv = default_flash_free_driver_priv,
 };
diff --git a/src/flash/nor/msp432.c b/src/flash/nor/msp432.c
index 5caa0520d..e2e65d4f0 100644
--- a/src/flash/nor/msp432.c
+++ b/src/flash/nor/msp432.c
@@ -655,12 +655,6 @@ static int msp432_erase(struct flash_bank *bank, int first, int last)
 	return retval;
 }
 
-static int msp432_protect(struct flash_bank *bank, int set, int first,
-	int last)
-{
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 static int msp432_write(struct flash_bank *bank, const uint8_t *buffer,
 	uint32_t offset, uint32_t count)
 {
@@ -985,11 +979,6 @@ static int msp432_auto_probe(struct flash_bank *bank)
 	return retval;
 }
 
-static int msp432_protect_check(struct flash_bank *bank)
-{
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 static int msp432_info(struct flash_bank *bank, char *buf, int buf_size)
 {
 	struct msp432_bank *msp432_bank = bank->driver_priv;
@@ -1091,13 +1080,11 @@ struct flash_driver msp432_flash = {
 	.commands = msp432_command_handlers,
 	.flash_bank_command = msp432_flash_bank_command,
 	.erase = msp432_erase,
-	.protect = msp432_protect,
 	.write = msp432_write,
 	.read = default_flash_read,
 	.probe = msp432_probe,
 	.auto_probe = msp432_auto_probe,
 	.erase_check = default_flash_blank_check,
-	.protect_check = msp432_protect_check,
 	.info = msp432_info,
 	.free_driver_priv = msp432_flash_free_driver_priv,
 };
diff --git a/src/flash/nor/ocl.c b/src/flash/nor/ocl.c
index 895c4af21..f8913c090 100644
--- a/src/flash/nor/ocl.c
+++ b/src/flash/nor/ocl.c
@@ -35,11 +35,6 @@ static int ocl_erase_check(struct flash_bank *bank)
 	return ERROR_OK;
 }
 
-static int ocl_protect_check(struct flash_bank *bank)
-{
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 /* flash_bank ocl 0 0 0 0 <target#> */
 FLASH_BANK_COMMAND_HANDLER(ocl_flash_bank_command)
 {
@@ -111,11 +106,6 @@ static int ocl_erase(struct flash_bank *bank, int first, int last)
 	return ERROR_OK;
 }
 
-static int ocl_protect(struct flash_bank *bank, int set, int first, int last)
-{
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 static int ocl_write(struct flash_bank *bank, const uint8_t *buffer, uint32_t offset, uint32_t count)
 {
 	struct ocl_priv *ocl = bank->driver_priv;
@@ -333,12 +323,10 @@ struct flash_driver ocl_flash = {
 	.name = "ocl",
 	.flash_bank_command = ocl_flash_bank_command,
 	.erase = ocl_erase,
-	.protect = ocl_protect,
 	.write = ocl_write,
 	.read = default_flash_read,
 	.probe = ocl_probe,
 	.erase_check = ocl_erase_check,
-	.protect_check = ocl_protect_check,
 	.auto_probe = ocl_auto_probe,
 	.free_driver_priv = default_flash_free_driver_priv,
 };
diff --git a/src/flash/nor/psoc5lp.c b/src/flash/nor/psoc5lp.c
index b88abbb47..d8e1c1568 100644
--- a/src/flash/nor/psoc5lp.c
+++ b/src/flash/nor/psoc5lp.c
@@ -753,16 +753,6 @@ static int psoc5lp_nvl_write(struct flash_bank *bank,
 	return ERROR_OK;
 }
 
-static int psoc5lp_nvl_protect_check(struct flash_bank *bank)
-{
-	int i;
-
-	for (i = 0; i < bank->num_sectors; i++)
-		bank->sectors[i].is_protected = -1;
-
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 static int psoc5lp_nvl_get_info_command(struct flash_bank *bank,
 	char *buf, int buf_size)
 {
@@ -855,7 +845,6 @@ struct flash_driver psoc5lp_nvl_flash = {
 	.info = psoc5lp_nvl_get_info_command,
 	.probe = psoc5lp_nvl_probe,
 	.auto_probe = psoc5lp_nvl_auto_probe,
-	.protect_check = psoc5lp_nvl_protect_check,
 	.read = psoc5lp_nvl_read,
 	.erase = psoc5lp_nvl_erase,
 	.erase_check = psoc5lp_nvl_erase_check,
@@ -945,16 +934,6 @@ static int psoc5lp_eeprom_write(struct flash_bank *bank,
 	return ERROR_OK;
 }
 
-static int psoc5lp_eeprom_protect_check(struct flash_bank *bank)
-{
-	int i;
-
-	for (i = 0; i < bank->num_sectors; i++)
-		bank->sectors[i].is_protected = -1;
-
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 static int psoc5lp_eeprom_get_info_command(struct flash_bank *bank, char *buf, int buf_size)
 {
 	struct psoc5lp_eeprom_flash_bank *psoc_eeprom_bank = bank->driver_priv;
@@ -1064,7 +1043,6 @@ struct flash_driver psoc5lp_eeprom_flash = {
 	.info = psoc5lp_eeprom_get_info_command,
 	.probe = psoc5lp_eeprom_probe,
 	.auto_probe = psoc5lp_eeprom_auto_probe,
-	.protect_check = psoc5lp_eeprom_protect_check,
 	.read = default_flash_read,
 	.erase = psoc5lp_eeprom_erase,
 	.erase_check = default_flash_blank_check,
diff --git a/src/flash/nor/stm32lx.c b/src/flash/nor/stm32lx.c
index 3251df3fc..1be950fe0 100644
--- a/src/flash/nor/stm32lx.c
+++ b/src/flash/nor/stm32lx.c
@@ -424,13 +424,6 @@ static int stm32lx_erase(struct flash_bank *bank, int first, int last)
 	return ERROR_OK;
 }
 
-static int stm32lx_protect(struct flash_bank *bank, int set, int first,
-		int last)
-{
-	LOG_WARNING("protection of the STM32L flash is not implemented");
-	return ERROR_OK;
-}
-
 static int stm32lx_write_half_pages(struct flash_bank *bank, const uint8_t *buffer,
 		uint32_t offset, uint32_t count)
 {
@@ -862,7 +855,7 @@ static int stm32lx_probe(struct flash_bank *bank)
 		bank->sectors[i].offset = i * FLASH_SECTOR_SIZE;
 		bank->sectors[i].size = FLASH_SECTOR_SIZE;
 		bank->sectors[i].is_erased = -1;
-		bank->sectors[i].is_protected = 1;
+		bank->sectors[i].is_protected = -1;
 	}
 
 	stm32lx_info->probed = 1;
@@ -955,7 +948,6 @@ struct flash_driver stm32lx_flash = {
 		.commands = stm32lx_command_handlers,
 		.flash_bank_command = stm32lx_flash_bank_command,
 		.erase = stm32lx_erase,
-		.protect = stm32lx_protect,
 		.write = stm32lx_write,
 		.read = default_flash_read,
 		.probe = stm32lx_probe,
diff --git a/src/flash/nor/tcl.c b/src/flash/nor/tcl.c
index 95ca8192f..f056e0753 100644
--- a/src/flash/nor/tcl.c
+++ b/src/flash/nor/tcl.c
@@ -98,10 +98,18 @@ COMMAND_HANDLER(handle_flash_info_command)
 		if (retval != ERROR_OK)
 			return retval;
 
-		/* We must query the hardware to avoid printing stale information! */
-		retval = p->driver->protect_check(p);
-		if (retval != ERROR_OK)
-			return retval;
+		/* If the driver does not implement protection, we show the default
+		 * state of is_protected array - usually protection state unknown */
+		if (p->driver->protect_check == NULL) {
+			retval = ERROR_FLASH_OPER_UNSUPPORTED;
+		} else {
+			/* We must query the hardware to avoid printing stale information! */
+			retval = p->driver->protect_check(p);
+			if (retval != ERROR_OK && retval != ERROR_FLASH_OPER_UNSUPPORTED)
+				return retval;
+		}
+		if (retval == ERROR_FLASH_OPER_UNSUPPORTED)
+			LOG_WARNING("Flash protection check is not implemented.");
 
 		command_print(CMD_CTX,
 			"#%d : %s at 0x%8.8" PRIx32 ", size 0x%8.8" PRIx32