diff --git a/drivers/dma/ioat/dma_v3.c b/drivers/dma/ioat/dma_v3.c
index bff48e8..39520f2 100644
--- a/drivers/dma/ioat/dma_v3.c
+++ b/drivers/dma/ioat/dma_v3.c
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@
 		}
 	}
 	ioat->tail += i;
-	BUG_ON(!seen_current); /* no active descs have written a completion? */
+	BUG_ON(active && !seen_current); /* no active descs have written a completion? */
 	chan->last_completion = phys_complete;
 	if (ioat->head == ioat->tail) {
 		dev_dbg(to_dev(chan), "%s: cancel completion timeout\n",