diff --git a/drivers/ieee1394/nodemgr.c b/drivers/ieee1394/nodemgr.c
index f7c3dbaf5802..0ea37b1bccb2 100644
--- a/drivers/ieee1394/nodemgr.c
+++ b/drivers/ieee1394/nodemgr.c
@@ -1349,6 +1349,33 @@ static void nodemgr_update_pdrv(struct node_entry *ne)
 }
 
 
+/* Write the BROADCAST_CHANNEL as per IEEE1394a 8.3.2.3.11 and 8.4.2.3.  This
+ * seems like an optional service but in the end it is practically mandatory
+ * as a consequence of these clauses.
+ *
+ * Note that we cannot do a broadcast write to all nodes at once because some
+ * pre-1394a devices would hang. */
+static void nodemgr_irm_write_bc(struct node_entry *ne, int generation)
+{
+	const u64 bc_addr = (CSR_REGISTER_BASE | CSR_BROADCAST_CHANNEL);
+	quadlet_t bc_remote, bc_local;
+	int ret;
+
+	if (!ne->host->is_irm || ne->generation != generation ||
+	    ne->nodeid == ne->host->node_id)
+		return;
+
+	bc_local = cpu_to_be32(ne->host->csr.broadcast_channel);
+
+	/* Check if the register is implemented and 1394a compliant. */
+	ret = hpsb_read(ne->host, ne->nodeid, generation, bc_addr, &bc_remote,
+			sizeof(bc_remote));
+	if (!ret && bc_remote & cpu_to_be32(0x80000000) &&
+	    bc_remote != bc_local)
+		hpsb_node_write(ne, bc_addr, &bc_local, sizeof(bc_local));
+}
+
+
 static void nodemgr_probe_ne(struct host_info *hi, struct node_entry *ne, int generation)
 {
 	struct device *dev;
@@ -1360,6 +1387,8 @@ static void nodemgr_probe_ne(struct host_info *hi, struct node_entry *ne, int ge
 	if (!dev)
 		return;
 
+	nodemgr_irm_write_bc(ne, generation);
+
 	/* If "needs_probe", then this is either a new or changed node we
 	 * rescan totally. If the generation matches for an existing node
 	 * (one that existed prior to the bus reset) we send update calls
@@ -1431,9 +1460,7 @@ static int nodemgr_send_resume_packet(struct hpsb_host *host)
 	return ret;
 }
 
-/* Because we are a 1394a-2000 compliant IRM, we need to inform all the other
- * nodes of the broadcast channel.  (Really we're only setting the validity
- * bit). Other IRM responsibilities go in here as well. */
+/* Perform a few high-level IRM responsibilities. */
 static int nodemgr_do_irm_duties(struct hpsb_host *host, int cycles)
 {
 	quadlet_t bc;
@@ -1442,13 +1469,8 @@ static int nodemgr_do_irm_duties(struct hpsb_host *host, int cycles)
 	if (!host->is_irm || host->irm_id == (nodeid_t)-1)
 		return 1;
 
-	host->csr.broadcast_channel |= 0x40000000;  /* set validity bit */
-
-	bc = cpu_to_be32(host->csr.broadcast_channel);
-
-	hpsb_write(host, LOCAL_BUS | ALL_NODES, get_hpsb_generation(host),
-		   (CSR_REGISTER_BASE | CSR_BROADCAST_CHANNEL),
-		   &bc, sizeof(quadlet_t));
+	/* We are a 1394a-2000 compliant IRM. Set the validity bit. */
+	host->csr.broadcast_channel |= 0x40000000;
 
 	/* If there is no bus manager then we should set the root node's
 	 * force_root bit to promote bus stability per the 1394