diff --git a/sys/dev/usb/usb_subr.c b/sys/dev/usb/usb_subr.c
index ee5b8757036b..08ebe65c5550 100644
--- a/sys/dev/usb/usb_subr.c
+++ b/sys/dev/usb/usb_subr.c
@@ -153,15 +153,21 @@ usbd_get_string_desc(usbd_device_handle dev, int sindex, int langid,
 {
 	usb_device_request_t req;
 	usbd_status err;
+	int actlen;
 
 	req.bmRequestType = UT_READ_DEVICE;
 	req.bRequest = UR_GET_DESCRIPTOR;
 	USETW2(req.wValue, UDESC_STRING, sindex);
 	USETW(req.wIndex, langid);
-	USETW(req.wLength, 1);	/* only size byte first */
-	err = usbd_do_request(dev, &req, sdesc);
+	USETW(req.wLength, 2);	/* only size byte first */
+	err = usbd_do_request_flags(dev, &req, sdesc, USBD_SHORT_XFER_OK,
+		&actlen, USBD_DEFAULT_TIMEOUT);
 	if (err)
 		return (err);
+
+	if (actlen < 1)
+		return (USBD_SHORT_XFER);
+
 	USETW(req.wLength, sdesc->bLength);	/* the whole string */
 	return (usbd_do_request(dev, &req, sdesc));
 }