diff --git a/repos/os/src/drivers/sd_card/spec/imx53/esdhcv2.h b/repos/os/src/drivers/sd_card/spec/imx53/esdhcv2.h
index d6c688e89..c16cb40c4 100644
--- a/repos/os/src/drivers/sd_card/spec/imx53/esdhcv2.h
+++ b/repos/os/src/drivers/sd_card/spec/imx53/esdhcv2.h
@@ -112,6 +112,8 @@ namespace Adma2
 					_base_virt[index] = desc;
 					consumed += curr;
 				}
+				/* ensure that all descriptor writes were actually executed */
+				asm volatile ("dsb");
 				return true;
 			}