diff --git a/drivers/mmc/host/sunxi-mmc.c b/drivers/mmc/host/sunxi-mmc.c
index 3777517982dd2589790db85eafe1bc6f6e528e19..9dc6d726ec493ec3c9a352bfde3bbc2c5ccbfea6 100644
--- a/drivers/mmc/host/sunxi-mmc.c
+++ b/drivers/mmc/host/sunxi-mmc.c
@@ -722,9 +722,14 @@ static int sunxi_mmc_clk_set_phase(struct sunxi_mmc_host *host,
 {
 	int index;
 
+	/* clk controller delays not used under new timings mode */
 	if (host->use_new_timings)
 		return 0;
 
+	/* some old controllers don't support delays */
+	if (!host->cfg->clk_delays)
+		return 0;
+
 	/* determine delays */
 	if (rate <= 400000) {
 		index = SDXC_CLK_400K;