diff --git a/ibm/service/power/resource_ibm_pi_virtual_serial_number.go b/ibm/service/power/resource_ibm_pi_virtual_serial_number.go
index f181588793..9ba962ee95 100644
--- a/ibm/service/power/resource_ibm_pi_virtual_serial_number.go
+++ b/ibm/service/power/resource_ibm_pi_virtual_serial_number.go
@@ -87,7 +87,9 @@ func resourceIBMPIVirtualSerialNumberCreate(ctx context.Context, d *schema.Resou
 		if err != nil {
 			return diag.FromErr(err)
 		}
-		oldPvmInstanceId = *vsn.PvmInstanceID
+		if vsn.PvmInstanceID != nil {
+			oldPvmInstanceId = *vsn.PvmInstanceID
+		}
 		if v, ok := d.GetOk(Arg_Description); ok {
 			description := v.(string)
 			if description != *vsn.Description {
@@ -346,15 +348,6 @@ func resourceIBMPIVirtualSerialNumberUpdate(ctx context.Context, d *schema.Resou
 	return resourceIBMPIVirtualSerialNumberRead(ctx, d, meta)
 }
 
-func flattenVirtualSerialNumberToListSerialType(vsn *models.VirtualSerialNumber) []map[string]interface{} {
-	v := make([]map[string]interface{}, 1)
-	v[0] = map[string]interface{}{
-		Attr_Description: vsn.Description,
-		Attr_Serial:      vsn.Serial,
-	}
-	return v
-}
-
 func startLparAfterVSNChange(ctx context.Context, client *instance.IBMPIInstanceClient, id string, timeout time.Duration) error {
 	body := &models.PVMInstanceAction{
 		Action: flex.PtrToString(Action_Start),