diff --git a/drivers/mmc/host/omap.c b/drivers/mmc/host/omap.c
index ab0974d261e5..14759e9f42ad 100644
--- a/drivers/mmc/host/omap.c
+++ b/drivers/mmc/host/omap.c
@@ -1276,11 +1276,17 @@ static void mmc_omap_set_ios(struct mmc_host *mmc, struct mmc_ios *ios)
 		OMAP_MMC_WRITE(host, CON, dsor);
 	slot->saved_con = dsor;
 	if (ios->power_mode == MMC_POWER_ON) {
+		/* worst case at 400kHz, 80 cycles makes 200 microsecs */
+		int usecs = 250;
+
 		/* Send clock cycles, poll completion */
 		OMAP_MMC_WRITE(host, IE, 0);
 		OMAP_MMC_WRITE(host, STAT, 0xffff);
 		OMAP_MMC_WRITE(host, CMD, 1 << 7);
-		while ((OMAP_MMC_READ(host, STAT) & 1) == 0);
+		while (usecs > 0 && (OMAP_MMC_READ(host, STAT) & 1) == 0) {
+			udelay(1);
+			usecs--;
+		}
 		OMAP_MMC_WRITE(host, STAT, 1);
 	}