diff --git a/selfdrive/pandad/pandad.py b/selfdrive/pandad/pandad.py
index a0bca3f23..bda349aec 100755
--- a/selfdrive/pandad/pandad.py
+++ b/selfdrive/pandad/pandad.py
@@ -32,8 +32,7 @@ def flash_panda(panda_serial: str) -> Panda:
     raise
 
   # skip flashing if the detected panda is not supported
-  supported_panda = check_panda_support(panda)
-  if not supported_panda:
+  if panda.get_type() not in Panda.SUPPORTED_DEVICES:
     cloudlog.warning(f"Panda {panda_serial} is not supported (hw_type: {panda.get_type()}), skipping flash...")
     return panda
 
@@ -69,10 +68,19 @@ def flash_panda(panda_serial: str) -> Panda:
   return panda
 
 
-def check_panda_support(panda) -> bool:
-  hw_type = panda.get_type()
-  if hw_type in Panda.SUPPORTED_DEVICES:
-    return True
+def check_panda_support(panda_serials: list[str]) -> bool:
+  unsupported = []
+  for serial in panda_serials:
+    panda = Panda(serial)
+    hw_type = panda.get_type()
+    panda.close()
+    if hw_type in Panda.SUPPORTED_DEVICES:
+      return True
+
+    unsupported.append((serial, hw_type))
+
+  for serial, hw_type in unsupported:
+    cloudlog.warning(f"Panda {serial} is not supported (hw_type: {hw_type}), skipping...")
 
   return False
 
@@ -126,6 +134,10 @@ def main() -> None:
 
       cloudlog.info(f"{len(panda_serials)} panda(s) found, connecting - {panda_serials}")
 
+      # skip flashing and health check if no supported panda is detected
+      if not check_panda_support(panda_serials):
+        continue
+
       # Flash the first panda
       panda_serial = panda_serials[0]
       panda = flash_panda(panda_serial)
@@ -143,12 +155,6 @@ def main() -> None:
       # log panda fw version
       params.put("PandaSignatures", panda.get_signature())
 
-      # skip health check if the detected panda is not supported
-      supported_panda = check_panda_support(panda)
-      if not supported_panda:
-        cloudlog.warning(f"Panda {panda.get_usb_serial()} is not supported (hw_type: {panda.get_type()}), skipping health check...")
-        continue
-
       # check health for lost heartbeat
       health = panda.health()
       if health["heartbeat_lost"]: