diff --git a/drivers/serial/Kconfig.ns16550 b/drivers/serial/Kconfig.ns16550
index 9cd88d08a1..a46c52b62f 100644
--- a/drivers/serial/Kconfig.ns16550
+++ b/drivers/serial/Kconfig.ns16550
@@ -32,6 +32,15 @@ config UART_NS16750
 	help
 	  This enables support for 64-bytes FIFO if UART controller is 16750.
 
+config UART_NS16550_ACCESS_WORD_ONLY
+	bool "NS16550 only allows word access"
+	default n
+	depends on UART_NS16550
+	help
+	  In some case, e.g. ARC HS Development kit, the peripheral space of ns
+	  16550 (DesignWare UART) only allows word access, byte access will raise
+	  exception.
+
 # ---------- Port 0 ----------
 
 menuconfig UART_NS16550_PORT_0
diff --git a/drivers/serial/uart_ns16550.c b/drivers/serial/uart_ns16550.c
index 575c3399fd..2cc1114640 100644
--- a/drivers/serial/uart_ns16550.c
+++ b/drivers/serial/uart_ns16550.c
@@ -241,6 +241,13 @@ BUILD_ASSERT_MSG(IS_ENABLED(CONFIG_PCIE), "NS16550(s) in DT need CONFIG_PCIE");
 #endif
 #endif /* UART_NS16550_ACCESS_IOPORT */
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_NS16550_ACCESS_WORD_ONLY
+#undef INBYTE
+#define INBYTE(x) INWORD(x)
+#undef OUTBYTE
+#define OUTBYTE(x, d) OUTWORD(x, d)
+#endif
+
 
 struct uart_ns16550_device_config {
 	u32_t sys_clk_freq;