diff --git a/drivers/md/md.c b/drivers/md/md.c
index d18805fea111..103f2d33fa89 100644
--- a/drivers/md/md.c
+++ b/drivers/md/md.c
@@ -3599,6 +3599,7 @@ max_sync_store(mddev_t *mddev, const char *buf, size_t len)
 		if (max < mddev->resync_min)
 			return -EINVAL;
 		if (max < mddev->resync_max &&
+		    mddev->ro == 0 &&
 		    test_bit(MD_RECOVERY_RUNNING, &mddev->recovery))
 			return -EBUSY;