diff --git a/drivers/video/modedb.c b/drivers/video/modedb.c
index f7f9c087ad70..03b06aa2475f 100644
--- a/drivers/video/modedb.c
+++ b/drivers/video/modedb.c
@@ -606,26 +606,43 @@ int fb_find_mode(struct fb_var_screeninfo *var,
 	DPRINTK("Trying specified video mode%s %ix%i\n",
 	    refresh_specified ? "" : " (ignoring refresh rate)", xres, yres);
 
-	diff = refresh;
+	if (!refresh_specified) {
+		/*
+		 * If the caller has provided a custom mode database and a
+		 * valid monspecs structure, we look for the mode with the
+		 * highest refresh rate.  Otherwise we play it safe it and
+		 * try to find a mode with a refresh rate closest to the
+		 * standard 60 Hz.
+		 */
+		if (db != modedb &&
+		    info->monspecs.vfmin && info->monspecs.vfmax &&
+		    info->monspecs.hfmin && info->monspecs.hfmax &&
+		    info->monspecs.dclkmax) {
+			refresh = 1000;
+		} else {
+			refresh = 60;
+		}
+	}
+
+	diff = -1;
 	best = -1;
 	for (i = 0; i < dbsize; i++) {
-		if (name_matches(db[i], name, namelen) ||
-		    (res_specified && res_matches(db[i], xres, yres))) {
-			if(!fb_try_mode(var, info, &db[i], bpp)) {
-				if(!refresh_specified || db[i].refresh == refresh)
-					return 1;
-				else {
-					if(diff > abs(db[i].refresh - refresh)) {
-						diff = abs(db[i].refresh - refresh);
-						best = i;
-					}
+		if ((name_matches(db[i], name, namelen) ||
+		    (res_specified && res_matches(db[i], xres, yres))) &&
+		    !fb_try_mode(var, info, &db[i], bpp)) {
+			if (refresh_specified && db[i].refresh == refresh) {
+				return 1;
+			} else {
+				if (abs(db[i].refresh - refresh) < diff) {
+					diff = abs(db[i].refresh - refresh);
+					best = i;
 				}
 			}
 		}
 	}
 	if (best != -1) {
 		fb_try_mode(var, info, &db[best], bpp);
-		return 2;
+		return (refresh_specified) ? 2 : 1;
 	}
 
 	diff = xres + yres;