A method for controlling brake pressure during a shift of a vehicle out of park may include determining that a first status condition is met when the vehicle is in park with an electric parking brake applied, determining that a second status condition is met when the vehicle is not moving, responsive to detecting a shift of the vehicle out of park when the first and second status conditions are both met, directing a build-up of brake pressure until a brake pressure target is reached, and holding the brake pressure at the brake pressure target until a release condition is met.