diff --git a/drivers/scsi/pm8001/pm8001_ctl.c b/drivers/scsi/pm8001/pm8001_ctl.c
index cbfda8c04e95..bb38b2d63acb 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/pm8001/pm8001_ctl.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/pm8001/pm8001_ctl.c
@@ -826,6 +826,14 @@ static ssize_t pm8001_store_update_fw(struct device *cdev,
 		goto out;
 	}
 
+	if (pm8001_ha->controller_fatal_error) {
+		pm8001_dbg(pm8001_ha, FAIL,
+			   "controller in fatal error state, firmware update rejected\n");
+		pm8001_ha->fw_status = FAIL_PARAMETERS;
+		ret = -EINVAL;
+		goto out;
+	}
+
 	for (i = 0; flash_command_table[i].code != FLASH_CMD_NONE; i++) {
 		if (!memcmp(flash_command_table[i].command,
 				 cmd_ptr, strlen(cmd_ptr))) {