diff --git a/module/zfs/vdev_label.c b/module/zfs/vdev_label.c
index 146dc28e82..568ae06b34 100644
--- a/module/zfs/vdev_label.c
+++ b/module/zfs/vdev_label.c
@@ -644,7 +644,7 @@ vdev_label_init(vdev_t *vd, uint64_t crtxg, vdev_labeltype_t reason)
 	/* Track the creation time for this vdev */
 	vd->vdev_crtxg = crtxg;
 
-	if (!vd->vdev_ops->vdev_op_leaf)
+	if (!vd->vdev_ops->vdev_op_leaf || !spa_writeable(spa))
 		return (0);
 
 	/*