A method and system for detecting when a receiver in a host system is present or absent to receive information from a PCI-Express device is provided. The method includes monitoring a signal received from a serial/de-serializer for transitions; re-starting a first timer when a transition is detected; and detecting a receiver's absence if a second timer has reached a maximum value after a transition is detected and a first timer cycle is incomplete. The PCI-Express device includes a receiver detection logic that determines when a receiver is absent before sending any data to the host system. The PCI-Express device may be a host adapter.