diff --git a/drivers/i2c/rcar_i2c.c b/drivers/i2c/rcar_i2c.c
index 50cebd6..90ad116 100644
--- a/drivers/i2c/rcar_i2c.c
+++ b/drivers/i2c/rcar_i2c.c
@@ -119,10 +119,10 @@
 
 	/* set slave address, receive */
 	writel((chip << 1) | 1, &dev->icmar);
-	/* clear status */
-	writel(0, &dev->icmsr);
 	/* start master receive */
 	writel(MCR_MDBS | MCR_MIE | MCR_ESG, &dev->icmcr);
+	/* clear status */
+	writel(0, &dev->icmsr);
 
 	while ((readl(&dev->icmsr) & (MSR_MAT | MSR_MDR))
 		!= (MSR_MAT | MSR_MDR))