diff --git a/drivers/i2c/busses/i2c-octeon.c b/drivers/i2c/busses/i2c-octeon.c
index aa5f01efd826..1922e4a16e92 100644
--- a/drivers/i2c/busses/i2c-octeon.c
+++ b/drivers/i2c/busses/i2c-octeon.c
@@ -934,8 +934,15 @@ static int octeon_i2c_read(struct octeon_i2c *i2c, int target,
 		return result;
 
 	for (i = 0; i < length; i++) {
-		/* for the last byte TWSI_CTL_AAK must not be set */
-		if (i + 1 == length)
+		/*
+		 * For the last byte to receive TWSI_CTL_AAK must not be set.
+		 *
+		 * A special case is I2C_M_RECV_LEN where we don't know the
+		 * additional length yet. If recv_len is set we assume we're
+		 * not reading the final byte and therefore need to set
+		 * TWSI_CTL_AAK.
+		 */
+		if ((i + 1 == length) && !(recv_len && i == 0))
 			final_read = true;
 
 		/* clear iflg to allow next event */