diff --git a/drivers/md/raid5.c b/drivers/md/raid5.c
index 42d0ea6c8597..e58736740bac 100644
--- a/drivers/md/raid5.c
+++ b/drivers/md/raid5.c
@@ -4200,9 +4200,13 @@ static void analyse_stripe(struct stripe_head *sh, struct stripe_head_state *s)
 
 static int clear_batch_ready(struct stripe_head *sh)
 {
+	/* Return '1' if this is a member of batch, or
+	 * '0' if it is a lone stripe or a head which can now be
+	 * handled.
+	 */
 	struct stripe_head *tmp;
 	if (!test_and_clear_bit(STRIPE_BATCH_READY, &sh->state))
-		return 0;
+		return (sh->batch_head && sh->batch_head != sh);
 	spin_lock(&sh->stripe_lock);
 	if (!sh->batch_head) {
 		spin_unlock(&sh->stripe_lock);