diff --git a/drivers/iio/adc/ad7266.c b/drivers/iio/adc/ad7266.c
index 21e19b60e2b9..01240aeeeab0 100644
--- a/drivers/iio/adc/ad7266.c
+++ b/drivers/iio/adc/ad7266.c
@@ -154,12 +154,11 @@ static int ad7266_read_raw(struct iio_dev *indio_dev,
 
 	switch (m) {
 	case IIO_CHAN_INFO_RAW:
-		if (iio_buffer_enabled(indio_dev))
-			return -EBUSY;
-
-		ret = ad7266_read_single(st, val, chan->address);
+		ret = iio_device_claim_direct_mode(indio_dev);
 		if (ret)
 			return ret;
+		ret = ad7266_read_single(st, val, chan->address);
+		iio_device_release_direct_mode(indio_dev);
 
 		*val = (*val >> 2) & 0xfff;
 		if (chan->scan_type.sign == 's')