diff --git a/drivers/ata/libata-sff.c b/drivers/ata/libata-sff.c
index 4b473948632796..9033d164c4ece1 100644
--- a/drivers/ata/libata-sff.c
+++ b/drivers/ata/libata-sff.c
@@ -1227,10 +1227,19 @@ int ata_sff_hsm_move(struct ata_port *ap, struct ata_queued_cmd *qc,
 			/* ATA PIO protocol */
 			if (unlikely((status & ATA_DRQ) == 0)) {
 				/* handle BSY=0, DRQ=0 as error */
-				if (likely(status & (ATA_ERR | ATA_DF)))
+				if (likely(status & (ATA_ERR | ATA_DF))) {
 					/* device stops HSM for abort/error */
 					qc->err_mask |= AC_ERR_DEV;
-				else {
+
+					/* If diagnostic failed and this is
+					 * IDENTIFY, it's likely a phantom
+					 * device.  Mark hint.
+					 */
+					if (qc->dev->horkage &
+					    ATA_HORKAGE_DIAGNOSTIC)
+						qc->err_mask |=
+							AC_ERR_NODEV_HINT;
+				} else {
 					/* HSM violation. Let EH handle this.
 					 * Phantom devices also trigger this
 					 * condition.  Mark hint.