diff --git a/src/emu/machine/idectrl.c b/src/emu/machine/idectrl.c
index 5f3e5709ed3..9a5d29e364e 100644
--- a/src/emu/machine/idectrl.c
+++ b/src/emu/machine/idectrl.c
@@ -1288,8 +1288,6 @@ static UINT32 ide_controller_read(device_t *device, int bank, offs_t offset, int
 
 	if (ide->drive[ide->cur_drive].slot->is_ready()) {
 		ide->status |= IDE_STATUS_DRIVE_READY;
-	} else {
-		ide->status = 0;
 	}
 
 	switch (BANK(bank, offset))