diff --git a/micropython/drivers/radio/nrf24l01/manifest.py b/micropython/drivers/radio/nrf24l01/manifest.py
index 474d422f9..24276ee4b 100644
--- a/micropython/drivers/radio/nrf24l01/manifest.py
+++ b/micropython/drivers/radio/nrf24l01/manifest.py
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
-metadata(description="nrf24l01 2.4GHz radio driver.", version="0.1.0")
+metadata(description="nrf24l01 2.4GHz radio driver.", version="0.2.0")
 
 module("nrf24l01.py", opt=3)
diff --git a/micropython/drivers/radio/nrf24l01/nrf24l01.py b/micropython/drivers/radio/nrf24l01/nrf24l01.py
index 04f07b9d9..d015250cf 100644
--- a/micropython/drivers/radio/nrf24l01/nrf24l01.py
+++ b/micropython/drivers/radio/nrf24l01/nrf24l01.py
@@ -130,6 +130,13 @@ def reg_write(self, reg, value):
         self.cs(1)
         return ret
 
+    def read_status(self):
+        self.cs(0)
+        # STATUS register is always shifted during command transmit
+        self.spi.readinto(self.buf, NOP)
+        self.cs(1)
+        return self.buf[0]
+
     def flush_rx(self):
         self.cs(0)
         self.spi.readinto(self.buf, FLUSH_RX)
@@ -250,7 +257,8 @@ def send_start(self, buf):
 
     # returns None if send still in progress, 1 for success, 2 for fail
     def send_done(self):
-        if not (self.reg_read(STATUS) & (TX_DS | MAX_RT)):
+        status = self.read_status()
+        if not (status & (TX_DS | MAX_RT)):
             return None  # tx not finished
 
         # either finished or failed: get and clear status flags, power down