A data storage device includes one or more memory device and a controller that is DRAM-less coupled to the one or more memory devices. The controller is configured to receive a command from a host device, begin execution of the command, and receive an abort request command for the command. The command includes pointers that direct the data storage device to various locations on the data storage device where relevant content is located. Once the abort command is received, the content of the host pointers stored in the data storage device RAM are changed to point to the HMB. The data storage device then waits until any already started transactions over the interface bus that are associated with the command have been completed. Thereafter, a failure completion command is posted to the host device.