diff --git a/src/mame/audio/dcs.cpp b/src/mame/audio/dcs.cpp
index 073310c110a..cea1961e2b0 100644
--- a/src/mame/audio/dcs.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/audio/dcs.cpp
@@ -1631,9 +1631,6 @@ void dcs_audio_device::ack_w()
 
 uint16_t dcs_audio_device::data_r()
 {
-	if IS_OUTPUT_EMPTY()
-		return m_output_data;
-
 	/* data is actually only 8 bit (read from d8-d15, which is d0-d7 from the data access instructions POV) on early dcs, but goes 16 on later (seattle) */
 	if (m_last_output_full && !m_output_full_cb.isnull())
 		m_output_full_cb(m_last_output_full = 0);