diff --git a/backend/epsonds.c b/backend/epsonds.c
index 3a4c26a82..eca6ed5da 100644
--- a/backend/epsonds.c
+++ b/backend/epsonds.c
@@ -169,7 +169,11 @@ open_scanner(epsonds_scanner *s)
 	if (s->hw->connection == SANE_EPSONDS_USB) {
 
 		status = sanei_usb_open(s->hw->sane.name, &s->fd);
-		sanei_usb_set_timeout(USB_TIMEOUT);
+
+		if (status == SANE_STATUS_GOOD) {
+			sanei_usb_set_timeout(USB_TIMEOUT);
+			sanei_usb_clear_halt(s->fd);
+		}
 
 	} else {
 		DBG(1, "unknown connection type: %d\n", s->hw->connection);