diff --git a/drivers/ata/ahci.c b/drivers/ata/ahci.c
index 65813c3..0824179 100644
--- a/drivers/ata/ahci.c
+++ b/drivers/ata/ahci.c
@@ -928,6 +928,17 @@ static int ahci_vt8251_hardreset(struct
 
 	ahci_stop_engine(port_mmio);
 
+	/* vt8251 needs CLO even before hardreset */
+	if (ahci_check_status(ap) & (ATA_BUSY | ATA_DRQ)) {
+		rc = ahci_clo(ap);
+		/* If CLO fails, whine but continue.  Hardreset is our
+		 * final line of defense anyway.
+		 */
+		if (rc)
+			ata_port_printk(ap, KERN_WARNING, "vt8251_hardreset: "
+					"CLO failed (%d)\n", rc);
+	}
+
 	rc = sata_port_hardreset(ap, sata_ehc_deb_timing(&ap->eh_context));
 
 	/* vt8251 needs SError cleared for the port to operate */