diff --git a/drivers/gpio/gpio-max7301.c b/drivers/gpio/gpio-max7301.c
index 6e1c984a75d4..3b16ab701630 100644
--- a/drivers/gpio/gpio-max7301.c
+++ b/drivers/gpio/gpio-max7301.c
@@ -56,7 +56,8 @@ static int max7301_probe(struct spi_device *spi)
 	int ret;
 
 	/* bits_per_word cannot be configured in platform data */
-	spi->bits_per_word = 16;
+	if (spi->dev.platform_data)
+		spi->bits_per_word = 16;
 	ret = spi_setup(spi);
 	if (ret < 0)
 		return ret;