diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-atmel.c b/drivers/spi/spi-atmel.c
index f53f0c5e63da..4954f0ab1606 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-atmel.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-atmel.c
@@ -1201,13 +1201,14 @@ static int atmel_spi_setup(struct spi_device *spi)
 		csr |= SPI_BIT(CSAAT);
 
 	/* DLYBS is mostly irrelevant since we manage chipselect using GPIOs.
-	 *
-	 * DLYBCT would add delays between words, slowing down transfers.
-	 * It could potentially be useful to cope with DMA bottlenecks, but
-	 * in those cases it's probably best to just use a lower bitrate.
 	 */
 	csr |= SPI_BF(DLYBS, 0);
-	csr |= SPI_BF(DLYBCT, 0);
+
+	/* DLYBCT adds delays between words.  This is useful for slow devices
+	 * that need a bit of time to setup the next transfer.
+	 */
+	csr |= SPI_BF(DLYBCT,
+			(as->spi_clk / 1000000 * spi->word_delay_usecs) >> 5);
 
 	asd = spi->controller_state;
 	if (!asd) {