diff --git a/sys/geom/vinum/geom_vinum_init.c b/sys/geom/vinum/geom_vinum_init.c
index 382ea1572b0..60c408c6839 100644
--- a/sys/geom/vinum/geom_vinum_init.c
+++ b/sys/geom/vinum/geom_vinum_init.c
@@ -127,6 +127,7 @@ void
 gv_start_vol(struct gv_volume *v)
 {
 	struct gv_plex *p;
+	struct gv_sd *s;
 
 	KASSERT(v != NULL, ("gv_start_vol: NULL v"));
 
@@ -145,6 +146,11 @@ gv_start_vol(struct gv_volume *v)
 			default:
 				return;
 			}
+		} else {
+			LIST_FOREACH(s, &p->subdisks, in_plex) {
+				gv_set_sd_state(s, GV_SD_UP,
+				    GV_SETSTATE_CONFIG);
+			}
 		}
 	} else
 		gv_sync(v);
diff --git a/sys/geom/vinum/geom_vinum_state.c b/sys/geom/vinum/geom_vinum_state.c
index 2f9ad596c28..4e1710815df 100644
--- a/sys/geom/vinum/geom_vinum_state.c
+++ b/sys/geom/vinum/geom_vinum_state.c
@@ -138,10 +138,22 @@ gv_set_sd_state(struct gv_sd *s, int newstate, int flags)
 
 		case GV_SD_STALE:
 			/*
-			 * A stale subdisk can't be brought up directly, it
-			 * needs to be revived or initialized first.
+			 * A stale subdisk can be brought up only if it's part
+			 * of a concat or striped plex that's the only one in a
+			 * volume, or if the subdisk isn't attached to a plex.
+			 * Otherwise it needs to be revived or initialized
+			 * first.
 			 */
-			/* FALLTHROUGH */
+			p = s->plex_sc;
+			if (p == NULL)
+				break;
+
+			if ((p->org != GV_PLEX_RAID5) &&
+			    (p->vol_sc->plexcount == 1))
+				break;
+			else
+				return (-1);
+
 		default:
 			return (-1);
 		}