diff --git a/drivers/xen/xenbus/xenbus_comms.c b/drivers/xen/xenbus/xenbus_comms.c
index 852ed161fc2a..eb5151fc8efa 100644
--- a/drivers/xen/xenbus/xenbus_comms.c
+++ b/drivers/xen/xenbus/xenbus_comms.c
@@ -397,6 +397,8 @@ static int process_writes(void)
 	if (state.req->state == xb_req_state_aborted)
 		kfree(state.req);
 	else {
+		/* write err, then update state */
+		virt_wmb();
 		state.req->state = xb_req_state_got_reply;
 		wake_up(&state.req->wq);
 	}