diff --git a/drivers/scsi/sd.c b/drivers/scsi/sd.c
index 5616cd780ff3..b7b9fec67a98 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/sd.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/sd.c
@@ -1840,6 +1840,18 @@ static void sd_read_block_characteristics(struct scsi_disk *sdkp)
 	kfree(buffer);
 }
 
+static int sd_try_extended_inquiry(struct scsi_device *sdp)
+{
+	/*
+	 * Although VPD inquiries can go to SCSI-2 type devices,
+	 * some USB ones crash on receiving them, and the pages
+	 * we currently ask for are for SPC-3 and beyond
+	 */
+	if (sdp->scsi_level > SCSI_SPC_2)
+		return 1;
+	return 0;
+}
+
 /**
  *	sd_revalidate_disk - called the first time a new disk is seen,
  *	performs disk spin up, read_capacity, etc.
@@ -1877,8 +1889,12 @@ static int sd_revalidate_disk(struct gendisk *disk)
 	 */
 	if (sdkp->media_present) {
 		sd_read_capacity(sdkp, buffer);
-		sd_read_block_limits(sdkp);
-		sd_read_block_characteristics(sdkp);
+
+		if (sd_try_extended_inquiry(sdp)) {
+			sd_read_block_limits(sdkp);
+			sd_read_block_characteristics(sdkp);
+		}
+
 		sd_read_write_protect_flag(sdkp, buffer);
 		sd_read_cache_type(sdkp, buffer);
 		sd_read_app_tag_own(sdkp, buffer);