diff --git a/drivers/ata/ahci.c b/drivers/ata/ahci.c
index 0760fa47d90e..a061aa3299ef 100644
--- a/drivers/ata/ahci.c
+++ b/drivers/ata/ahci.c
@@ -1776,7 +1776,8 @@ static void ahci_update_initial_lpm_policy(struct ata_port *ap)
 	 * LPM if the port advertises itself as an external port.
 	 */
 	if (ap->pflags & ATA_PFLAG_EXTERNAL) {
-		ata_port_dbg(ap, "external port, not enabling LPM\n");
+		ap->flags |= ATA_FLAG_NO_LPM;
+		ap->target_lpm_policy = ATA_LPM_MAX_POWER;
 		return;
 	}