static int mma9553_read_activity_stepcnt(struct mma9553_data *data,
                                         u8 *activity, u16 *stepcnt)
 {
-       u32 status_stepcnt;
-       u16 status;
+       u16 buf[2];
        int ret;
 
        ret = mma9551_read_status_words(data->client, MMA9551_APPID_PEDOMETER,
-                                       MMA9553_REG_STATUS, sizeof(u32),
-                                       (u16 *) &status_stepcnt);
+                                       MMA9553_REG_STATUS, sizeof(u32), buf);
        if (ret < 0) {
                dev_err(&data->client->dev,
                        "error reading status and stepcnt\n");
                return ret;
        }
 
-       status = status_stepcnt & MMA9553_MASK_CONF_WORD;
-       *activity = mma9553_get_bits(status, MMA9553_MASK_STATUS_ACTIVITY);
-       *stepcnt = status_stepcnt >> 16;
+       *activity = mma9553_get_bits(buf[0], MMA9553_MASK_STATUS_ACTIVITY);
+       *stepcnt = buf[1];
 
        return 0;
 }