diff --git a/lib/activate/activate.c b/lib/activate/activate.c
index 712f5784c..86ac31ecd 100644
--- a/lib/activate/activate.c
+++ b/lib/activate/activate.c
@@ -1112,7 +1112,7 @@ static int _preload_detached_lv(struct cmd_context *cmd, struct logical_volume *
 	struct lv_list *lvl_pre;
 
 	if ((lvl_pre = find_lv_in_vg(detached->lv_pre->vg, lv->name))) {
-		if (lv_is_visible(lvl_pre->lv) && lv_is_active(lv) &&
+		if (lv_is_visible(lvl_pre->lv) && lv_is_active(lv) && !lv_is_cow(lv) &&
 		    !_lv_preload(lvl_pre->lv, detached->laopts, detached->flush_required))
 			return_0;
 	}