diff --git a/volumes.c b/volumes.c
index 2209e5a9..2fde4762 100644
--- a/volumes.c
+++ b/volumes.c
@@ -138,7 +138,21 @@ static int device_list_add(const char *path,
 		list_add(&device->dev_list, &fs_devices->devices);
 		device->fs_devices = fs_devices;
 	} else if (!device->name || strcmp(device->name, path)) {
-		char *name = strdup(path);
+		char *name;
+
+		/*
+		 * The existing device has newer generation, so this one could
+		 * be a stale one, don't add it.
+		 */
+		if (found_transid < device->generation) {
+			warning(
+	"adding device %s gen %llu but found an existing device %s gen %llu",
+				path, found_transid, device->name,
+				device->generation);
+			return -EEXIST;
+		}
+
+		name = strdup(path);
                 if (!name)
                         return -ENOMEM;
                 kfree(device->name);