diff --git a/drivers/mmc/core/core.c b/drivers/mmc/core/core.c
index a4858ab50015..5970e3ced815 100644
--- a/drivers/mmc/core/core.c
+++ b/drivers/mmc/core/core.c
@@ -1753,12 +1753,15 @@ int mmc_set_signal_voltage(struct mmc_host *host, int signal_voltage, u32 ocr)
 		pr_warn("%s: cannot verify signal voltage switch\n",
 			mmc_hostname(host));
 
-	mmc_host_clk_hold(host);
-
 	cmd.opcode = SD_SWITCH_VOLTAGE;
 	cmd.arg = 0;
 	cmd.flags = MMC_RSP_R1 | MMC_CMD_AC;
 
+	/*
+	 * Hold the clock reference so clock doesn't get auto gated during this
+	 * voltage switch sequence.
+	 */
+	mmc_host_clk_hold(host);
 	err = mmc_wait_for_cmd(host, &cmd, 0);
 	if (err)
 		goto err_command;