diff --git a/src/target/arm7_9_common.c b/src/target/arm7_9_common.c
index abfb21bd9..3bbe8b07a 100644
--- a/src/target/arm7_9_common.c
+++ b/src/target/arm7_9_common.c
@@ -1074,24 +1074,29 @@ int arm7_9_deassert_reset(struct target *target)
 	/* deassert reset lines */
 	jtag_add_reset(0, 0);
 
+	/* In case polling is disabled, we need to examine the
+	 * target and poll here for this target to work correctly.
+	 *
+	 * Otherwise, e.g. halt will fail afterwards with bogus
+	 * error messages as halt will believe that reset is
+	 * still in effect.
+	 */
+	if ((retval = target_examine_one(target)) != ERROR_OK)
+		return retval;
+
+	if ((retval = target_poll(target)) != ERROR_OK)
+	{
+		return retval;
+	}
+
 	enum reset_types jtag_reset_config = jtag_get_reset_config();
 	if (target->reset_halt && (jtag_reset_config & RESET_SRST_PULLS_TRST) != 0)
 	{
 		LOG_WARNING("srst pulls trst - can not reset into halted mode. Issuing halt after reset.");
-		/* set up embedded ice registers again */
-		if ((retval = target_examine_one(target)) != ERROR_OK)
-			return retval;
-
-		if ((retval = target_poll(target)) != ERROR_OK)
-		{
-			return retval;
-		}
-
 		if ((retval = target_halt(target)) != ERROR_OK)
 		{
 			return retval;
 		}
-
 	}
 	return retval;
 }
diff --git a/src/target/target_type.h b/src/target/target_type.h
index d3db8b55d..10fcd4fd2 100644
--- a/src/target/target_type.h
+++ b/src/target/target_type.h
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
  *   Copyright (C) 2005 by Dominic Rath                                    *
  *   Dominic.Rath@gmx.de                                                   *
  *                                                                         *
- *   Copyright (C) 2007,2008,2009 Øyvind Harboe                            *
+ *   Copyright (C) 2007-2010 Øyvind Harboe                                 *
  *   oyvind.harboe@zylin.com                                               *
  *                                                                         *
  *   Copyright (C) 2008 by Spencer Oliver                                  *
@@ -73,6 +73,17 @@ struct target_type
 	 *
 	 */
 	int (*assert_reset)(struct target *target);
+	/**
+	 * The implementation is responsible for polling the
+	 * target such that target->state reflects the
+	 * state correctly.
+	 *
+	 * Otherwise the following would fail, as there will not
+	 * be any "poll" invoked inbetween the "reset run" and
+	 * "halt".
+	 *
+	 * reset run; halt
+     */
 	int (*deassert_reset)(struct target *target);
 	int (*soft_reset_halt_imp)(struct target *target);
 	int (*soft_reset_halt)(struct target *target);