diff --git a/hw/scsi/esp.c b/hw/scsi/esp.c
index 68d07edc05..b382865426 100644
--- a/hw/scsi/esp.c
+++ b/hw/scsi/esp.c
@@ -209,6 +209,11 @@ static int esp_select(ESPState *s)
     s->ti_size = 0;
     fifo8_reset(&s->fifo);
 
+    if (s->current_req) {
+        /* Started a new command before the old one finished. Cancel it. */
+        scsi_req_cancel(s->current_req);
+    }
+
     s->current_dev = scsi_device_find(&s->bus, 0, target, 0);
     if (!s->current_dev) {
         /* No such drive */
@@ -235,11 +240,6 @@ static uint32_t get_cmd(ESPState *s, uint32_t maxlen)
     uint32_t dmalen, n;
     int target;
 
-    if (s->current_req) {
-        /* Started a new command before the old one finished.  Cancel it.  */
-        scsi_req_cancel(s->current_req);
-    }
-
     target = s->wregs[ESP_WBUSID] & BUSID_DID;
     if (s->dma) {
         dmalen = MIN(esp_get_tc(s), maxlen);