diff --git a/drivers/scsi/st.c b/drivers/scsi/st.c
index 338aa8c42968..212a402e7535 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/st.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/st.c
@@ -835,6 +835,9 @@ static int flush_buffer(struct scsi_tape *STp, int seek_next)
 	int backspace, result;
 	struct st_partstat *STps;
 
+	if (STp->ready != ST_READY)
+		return 0;
+
 	/*
 	 * If there was a bus reset, block further access
 	 * to this device.
@@ -842,8 +845,6 @@ static int flush_buffer(struct scsi_tape *STp, int seek_next)
 	if (STp->pos_unknown)
 		return (-EIO);
 
-	if (STp->ready != ST_READY)
-		return 0;
 	STps = &(STp->ps[STp->partition]);
 	if (STps->rw == ST_WRITING)	/* Writing */
 		return st_flush_write_buffer(STp);