diff --git a/drivers/mtd/w25.c b/drivers/mtd/w25.c
index 0a025183c7d..831145baa71 100644
--- a/drivers/mtd/w25.c
+++ b/drivers/mtd/w25.c
@@ -255,6 +255,7 @@ struct w25_dev_s
 
 /* Helpers */
 
+static inline void w25_purdid(FAR struct w25_dev_s *priv);
 static void w25_lock(FAR struct spi_dev_s *spi);
 static inline void w25_unlock(FAR struct spi_dev_s *spi);
 static inline int w25_readid(FAR struct w25_dev_s *priv);
@@ -326,6 +327,18 @@ static ssize_t w25_write(FAR struct mtd_dev_s *dev,
  * Private Functions
  ****************************************************************************/
 
+/****************************************************************************
+ * Name: w25_purdid
+ ****************************************************************************/
+
+static inline void w25_purdid(FAR struct w25_dev_s *priv)
+{
+  SPI_SELECT(priv->spi, SPIDEV_FLASH(0), true);
+  SPI_SEND(priv->spi, W25_PURDID);
+  SPI_SELECT(priv->spi, SPIDEV_FLASH(0), false);
+  nxsched_usleep(20);
+}
+
 /****************************************************************************
  * Name: w25_lock
  ****************************************************************************/
@@ -386,6 +399,10 @@ static inline int w25_readid(struct w25_dev_s *priv)
 
   w25_lock(priv->spi);
 
+  /* Make sure the device is not in power down mode */
+
+  w25_purdid(priv);
+
   /* Wait for any preceding write or erase operation to complete. */
 
   w25_waitwritecomplete(priv);