diff --git a/module/zfs/vdev_label.c b/module/zfs/vdev_label.c
index 0780bf601..1c2f00fe2 100644
--- a/module/zfs/vdev_label.c
+++ b/module/zfs/vdev_label.c
@@ -599,7 +599,8 @@ vdev_inuse(vdev_t *vd, uint64_t crtxg, vdev_labeltype_t reason,
 	 * read-only.  Instead we look to see if the pools is marked
 	 * read-only in the namespace and set the state to active.
 	 */
-	if ((spa = spa_by_guid(pool_guid, device_guid)) != NULL &&
+	if (state != POOL_STATE_SPARE && state != POOL_STATE_L2CACHE &&
+	    (spa = spa_by_guid(pool_guid, device_guid)) != NULL &&
 	    spa_mode(spa) == FREAD)
 		state = POOL_STATE_ACTIVE;