diff --git a/labgrid/strategy/ubootstrategy.py b/labgrid/strategy/ubootstrategy.py
index 08ec46328..da1e2c671 100644
--- a/labgrid/strategy/ubootstrategy.py
+++ b/labgrid/strategy/ubootstrategy.py
@@ -36,6 +36,11 @@ def transition(self, status):
             raise StrategyError("can not transition to {}".format(status))
         elif status == self.status:
             return # nothing to do
+        elif self.status == Status.shell and status == Status.uboot:
+            # in shell: we can simply reboot to get U-boot
+            # make sure run() reads the shell prompt and returns
+            self.shell.run("(sleep 1;reboot)&")
+            self.target.activate(self.uboot)
         elif status == Status.uboot:
             # cycle power
             self.target.activate(self.power)