diff --git a/common/miiphyutil.c b/common/miiphyutil.c
index 919de3e..721d109 100644
--- a/common/miiphyutil.c
+++ b/common/miiphyutil.c
@@ -203,6 +203,8 @@
 {
 	unsigned short reg;
 
+	/* dummy read; needed to latch some phys */
+	(void)miiphy_read(addr, PHY_BMSR, &reg);
 	if (miiphy_read (addr, PHY_BMSR, &reg)) {
 		puts ("PHY_BMSR read failed, assuming no link\n");
 		return (0);