The embodiments described herein provide a method and controller for performing a copy-back command. In one embodiment, a controller receives the data and error correction code associated with a copy-back operation from at least one flash memory device. The controller determines if the error correction code indicates there is an error in the data. If the error correction code does not indicate there is an error in the data, the controller sends a destination address and copy-back program command received from a host to the at least one flash memory device. If the error correction code indicates there is an error in the data, the controller corrects the data and sends the destination address, the corrected data, and a program command to the at least one flash memory device. Additional embodiments relate to modifying data during the copy-back operation.