diff --git a/arch/arm/src/sama5/sam_hsmci.c b/arch/arm/src/sama5/sam_hsmci.c
index f0910df19eb..f0a0d3be1e5 100644
--- a/arch/arm/src/sama5/sam_hsmci.c
+++ b/arch/arm/src/sama5/sam_hsmci.c
@@ -181,11 +181,17 @@
 #  endif
 #endif
 
-/* These were once helpful.  Perhaps they will be so again some time. */
+/* There is some unresolved issue with the SAMA5D3 DMA.  TX DMA is currently
+ * disabled.
+ */
 
 #undef  HSCMI_NORXDMA            /* Define to disable RX DMA */
 #undef  HSCMI_NOTXDMA            /* Define to disable TX DMA */
 
+#ifdef ATSAMA5D3
+#  define HSCMI_NOTXDMA 1        /* Disabled */
+#endif
+
 /* Timing */
 
 #define HSMCI_CMDTIMEOUT         (100000)