diff --git a/drivers/md/raid5.c b/drivers/md/raid5.c
index aa76865b804b..e75d48c0421a 100644
--- a/drivers/md/raid5.c
+++ b/drivers/md/raid5.c
@@ -3170,7 +3170,8 @@ static void handle_stripe_dirtying(struct r5conf *conf,
 	 * generate correct data from the parity.
 	 */
 	if (conf->max_degraded == 2 ||
-	    (recovery_cp < MaxSector && sh->sector >= recovery_cp)) {
+	    (recovery_cp < MaxSector && sh->sector >= recovery_cp &&
+	     s->failed == 0)) {
 		/* Calculate the real rcw later - for now make it
 		 * look like rcw is cheaper
 		 */