diff --git a/drivers/i2c/i2c-core.h b/drivers/i2c/i2c-core.h
index 1247e6e6e975..05b8b8dfa9bd 100644
--- a/drivers/i2c/i2c-core.h
+++ b/drivers/i2c/i2c-core.h
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ int i2c_dev_irq_from_resources(const struct resource *resources,
  */
 static inline bool i2c_in_atomic_xfer_mode(void)
 {
-	return system_state > SYSTEM_RUNNING && irqs_disabled();
+	return system_state > SYSTEM_RUNNING && !preemptible();
 }
 
 static inline int __i2c_lock_bus_helper(struct i2c_adapter *adap)