diff --git a/drivers/ide/ide-io.c b/drivers/ide/ide-io.c
index e04967a..7550118 100644
--- a/drivers/ide/ide-io.c
+++ b/drivers/ide/ide-io.c
@@ -340,6 +340,8 @@
 		if (args) {
 			args[0] = stat;
 			args[1] = err;
+			/* be sure we're looking at the low order bits */
+			hwif->OUTB(drive->ctl & ~0x80, IDE_CONTROL_REG);
 			args[2] = hwif->INB(IDE_NSECTOR_REG);
 			args[3] = hwif->INB(IDE_SECTOR_REG);
 			args[4] = hwif->INB(IDE_LCYL_REG);