diff --git a/drivers/i2c/busses/i2c-cadence.c b/drivers/i2c/busses/i2c-cadence.c
index 45d6771fac8c..59c08d5b75d6 100644
--- a/drivers/i2c/busses/i2c-cadence.c
+++ b/drivers/i2c/busses/i2c-cadence.c
@@ -382,8 +382,10 @@ static void cdns_i2c_mrecv(struct cdns_i2c *id)
 	 * Check for the message size against FIFO depth and set the
 	 * 'hold bus' bit if it is greater than FIFO depth.
 	 */
-	if (id->recv_count > CDNS_I2C_FIFO_DEPTH)
+	if ((id->recv_count > CDNS_I2C_FIFO_DEPTH)  || id->bus_hold_flag)
 		ctrl_reg |= CDNS_I2C_CR_HOLD;
+	else
+		ctrl_reg = ctrl_reg & ~CDNS_I2C_CR_HOLD;
 
 	cdns_i2c_writereg(ctrl_reg, CDNS_I2C_CR_OFFSET);
 
@@ -440,8 +442,11 @@ static void cdns_i2c_msend(struct cdns_i2c *id)
 	 * Check for the message size against FIFO depth and set the
 	 * 'hold bus' bit if it is greater than FIFO depth.
 	 */
-	if (id->send_count > CDNS_I2C_FIFO_DEPTH)
+	if ((id->send_count > CDNS_I2C_FIFO_DEPTH) || id->bus_hold_flag)
 		ctrl_reg |= CDNS_I2C_CR_HOLD;
+	else
+		ctrl_reg = ctrl_reg & ~CDNS_I2C_CR_HOLD;
+
 	cdns_i2c_writereg(ctrl_reg, CDNS_I2C_CR_OFFSET);
 
 	/* Clear the interrupts in interrupt status register. */