diff --git a/drivers/dahdi/dahdi-base.c b/drivers/dahdi/dahdi-base.c
index eff2957..773b8a1 100644
--- a/drivers/dahdi/dahdi-base.c
+++ b/drivers/dahdi/dahdi-base.c
@@ -7153,6 +7153,13 @@ static void __dahdi_init_span(struct dahdi_span *span)
 	spin_lock_init(&span->lock);
 	clear_bit(DAHDI_FLAGBIT_REGISTERED, &span->flags);
 
+	/* DAHDI_ALARM_NOTOPEN can be set when a span is disabled, i.e. via
+	 * sysfs, so when the span is being initialized again before
+	 * reassignment we should make sure it's cleared. This eliminates the
+	 * need for board drivers to re-report their alarm states on span
+	 * reassignment. */
+	span->alarms &= ~DAHDI_ALARM_NOTOPEN;
+
 	if (!span->deflaw) {
 		module_printk(KERN_NOTICE, "Span %s didn't specify default "
 			      "law. Assuming mulaw, please fix driver!\n",