diff --git a/drivers/soundwire/bus.c b/drivers/soundwire/bus.c
index 16b2a3b2662d..aac35fc3cf22 100644
--- a/drivers/soundwire/bus.c
+++ b/drivers/soundwire/bus.c
@@ -812,12 +812,13 @@ static int sdw_handle_slave_alerts(struct sdw_slave *slave)
 	sdw_modify_slave_status(slave, SDW_SLAVE_ALERT);
 
 	/* Read Instat 1, Instat 2 and Instat 3 registers */
-	buf = ret = sdw_read(slave, SDW_SCP_INT1);
+	ret = sdw_read(slave, SDW_SCP_INT1);
 	if (ret < 0) {
 		dev_err(slave->bus->dev,
 			"SDW_SCP_INT1 read failed:%d\n", ret);
 		return ret;
 	}
+	buf = ret;
 
 	ret = sdw_nread(slave, SDW_SCP_INTSTAT2, 2, buf2);
 	if (ret < 0) {
@@ -910,12 +911,13 @@ static int sdw_handle_slave_alerts(struct sdw_slave *slave)
 		 * Read status again to ensure no new interrupts arrived
 		 * while servicing interrupts.
 		 */
-		_buf = ret = sdw_read(slave, SDW_SCP_INT1);
+		ret = sdw_read(slave, SDW_SCP_INT1);
 		if (ret < 0) {
 			dev_err(slave->bus->dev,
 				"SDW_SCP_INT1 read failed:%d\n", ret);
 			return ret;
 		}
+		_buf = ret;
 
 		ret = sdw_nread(slave, SDW_SCP_INTSTAT2, 2, _buf2);
 		if (ret < 0) {