diff --git a/src/systemctl/systemctl.c b/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
index 8481a9b20..207a5e78d 100644
--- a/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
+++ b/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
@@ -6948,8 +6948,13 @@ done:
 
 static int halt_now(enum action a) {
 
-/* Make sure C-A-D is handled by the kernel from this
-         * point on... */
+        /* The kernel will automaticall flush ATA disks and suchlike
+         * on reboot(), but the file systems need to be synce'd
+         * explicitly in advance. */
+        sync();
+
+        /* Make sure C-A-D is handled by the kernel from this point
+         * on... */
         reboot(RB_ENABLE_CAD);
 
         switch (a) {