diff --git a/drivers/regulator/core.c b/drivers/regulator/core.c
index 0fae51c..7104404a 100644
--- a/drivers/regulator/core.c
+++ b/drivers/regulator/core.c
@@ -197,9 +197,9 @@
 }
 
 /* operating mode constraint check */
-static int regulator_check_mode(struct regulator_dev *rdev, int mode)
+static int regulator_mode_constrain(struct regulator_dev *rdev, int *mode)
 {
-	switch (mode) {
+	switch (*mode) {
 	case REGULATOR_MODE_FAST:
 	case REGULATOR_MODE_NORMAL:
 	case REGULATOR_MODE_IDLE:
@@ -217,11 +217,17 @@
 		rdev_err(rdev, "operation not allowed\n");
 		return -EPERM;
 	}
-	if (!(rdev->constraints->valid_modes_mask & mode)) {
-		rdev_err(rdev, "invalid mode %x\n", mode);
-		return -EINVAL;
+
+	/* The modes are bitmasks, the most power hungry modes having
+	 * the lowest values. If the requested mode isn't supported
+	 * try higher modes. */
+	while (*mode) {
+		if (rdev->constraints->valid_modes_mask & *mode)
+			return 0;
+		*mode /= 2;
 	}
-	return 0;
+
+	return -EINVAL;
 }
 
 /* dynamic regulator mode switching constraint check */
@@ -612,7 +618,7 @@
 						  output_uV, current_uA);
 
 	/* check the new mode is allowed */
-	err = regulator_check_mode(rdev, mode);
+	err = regulator_mode_constrain(rdev, &mode);
 	if (err == 0)
 		rdev->desc->ops->set_mode(rdev, mode);
 }
@@ -2005,7 +2011,7 @@
 	}
 
 	/* constraints check */
-	ret = regulator_check_mode(rdev, mode);
+	ret = regulator_mode_constrain(rdev, mode);
 	if (ret < 0)
 		goto out;
 
@@ -2116,7 +2122,7 @@
 	mode = rdev->desc->ops->get_optimum_mode(rdev,
 						 input_uV, output_uV,
 						 total_uA_load);
-	ret = regulator_check_mode(rdev, mode);
+	ret = regulator_mode_constrain(rdev, &mode);
 	if (ret < 0) {
 		rdev_err(rdev, "failed to get optimum mode @ %d uA %d -> %d uV\n",
 			 total_uA_load, input_uV, output_uV);