A heat pump is provided with a method and control for eliminating compressor un-powered reverse rotation at shutdown. In particular, the position of the four-way reversing valve is changed and the heat pump is moved to the opposite mode of operation as compared to the one it had been operated before shutdown. The compressed refrigerant, that might otherwise re-expand through the compressor and cause the compressor to run in reverse, is now communicated to the suction line of the compressor, while the discharge port of the compressor communicates with a refrigerant at suction pressure. Thus the unpowered reverse rotation of the compressor is no longer possible.