diff --git a/drivers/mmc/core/sdio.c b/drivers/mmc/core/sdio.c
index 2362a70460f1..2908037a1526 100644
--- a/drivers/mmc/core/sdio.c
+++ b/drivers/mmc/core/sdio.c
@@ -868,7 +868,11 @@ static void mmc_sdio_remove(struct mmc_host *host)
  */
 static int mmc_sdio_alive(struct mmc_host *host)
 {
-	return mmc_select_card(host->card);
+	if (!mmc_host_is_spi(host))
+		return mmc_select_card(host->card);
+	else
+		return mmc_io_rw_direct(host->card, 0, 0, SDIO_CCCR_CCCR, 0,
+					NULL);
 }
 
 /*