diff --git a/drivers/ata/libata-core.c b/drivers/ata/libata-core.c
index d8cc1e27a125..f12beeb96629 100644
--- a/drivers/ata/libata-core.c
+++ b/drivers/ata/libata-core.c
@@ -2034,6 +2034,10 @@ void ata_dev_power_set_active(struct ata_device *dev)
 	struct ata_taskfile tf;
 	unsigned int err_mask;
 
+	/* If the device is already sleeping, do nothing. */
+	if (dev->flags & ATA_DFLAG_SLEEPING)
+		return;
+
 	/*
 	 * Issue READ VERIFY SECTORS command for 1 sector at lba=0 only
 	 * if supported by the device.