diff --git a/drivers/i2c/at91_i2c.c b/drivers/i2c/at91_i2c.c
index 5a636697a5e..a4b43e0a0d7 100644
--- a/drivers/i2c/at91_i2c.c
+++ b/drivers/i2c/at91_i2c.c
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ static int at91_i2c_xfer_msg(struct at91_i2c_bus *bus, struct i2c_msg *msg)
 
 	} else {
 		writel(msg->buf[0], &reg->thr);
+		ret = at91_wait_for_xfer(bus, TWI_SR_TXRDY);
 		for (i = 1; !ret && (i < msg->len); i++) {
 			writel(msg->buf[i], &reg->thr);
 			ret = at91_wait_for_xfer(bus, TWI_SR_TXRDY);