diff --git a/drivers/i2c/busses/i2c-i801.c b/drivers/i2c/busses/i2c-i801.c
index 877fe3733a42..e42b87e96f74 100644
--- a/drivers/i2c/busses/i2c-i801.c
+++ b/drivers/i2c/busses/i2c-i801.c
@@ -391,11 +391,9 @@ static int i801_check_post(struct i801_priv *priv, int status)
 		dev_err(&priv->pci_dev->dev, "Transaction timeout\n");
 		/* try to stop the current command */
 		dev_dbg(&priv->pci_dev->dev, "Terminating the current operation\n");
-		outb_p(inb_p(SMBHSTCNT(priv)) | SMBHSTCNT_KILL,
-		       SMBHSTCNT(priv));
+		outb_p(SMBHSTCNT_KILL, SMBHSTCNT(priv));
 		usleep_range(1000, 2000);
-		outb_p(inb_p(SMBHSTCNT(priv)) & (~SMBHSTCNT_KILL),
-		       SMBHSTCNT(priv));
+		outb_p(0, SMBHSTCNT(priv));
 
 		/* Check if it worked */
 		status = inb_p(SMBHSTSTS(priv));