diff --git a/sys/dev/nvme/nvme_sim.c b/sys/dev/nvme/nvme_sim.c
--- a/sys/dev/nvme/nvme_sim.c
+++ b/sys/dev/nvme/nvme_sim.c
@@ -268,11 +268,19 @@
 		ccb->ccb_h.status = CAM_REQ_CMP;
 		break;
 	case XPT_NVME_IO:		/* Execute the requested I/O operation */
-	case XPT_NVME_ADMIN:		/* or Admin operation */
+		/*
+		 * I/O commands can't work once we've failed the drive, but
+		 * admin commands might still work or issue vendor specific
+		 * commands to reset the card after a failure. Worst case is
+		 * that the admin commands will fail inside the sim when the
+		 * hardware rejects them or they timeout.
+		 */
 		if (ctrlr->is_failed) {
 			ccb->ccb_h.status = CAM_DEV_NOT_THERE;
 			break;
 		}
+		/*FALLTHROUGH*/
+	case XPT_NVME_ADMIN:		/* or Admin operation */
 		nvme_sim_nvmeio(sim, ccb);
 		return;			/* no done */
 	default: