diff --git a/drivers/mtd/nand/atmel_nand.c b/drivers/mtd/nand/atmel_nand.c
index f254fa636af..e9fdbe46b24 100644
--- a/drivers/mtd/nand/atmel_nand.c
+++ b/drivers/mtd/nand/atmel_nand.c
@@ -280,7 +280,8 @@ static void atmel_read_buf(struct mtd_info *mtd, u8 *buf, int len)
 	struct nand_chip *chip = mtd->priv;
 	struct atmel_nand_host *host = chip->priv;
 
-	if (use_dma && len >= mtd->oobsize)
+	if (use_dma && len > mtd->oobsize)
+		/* only use DMA for bigger than oob size: better performances */
 		if (atmel_nand_dma_op(mtd, buf, len, 1) == 0)
 			return;
 
@@ -295,7 +296,8 @@ static void atmel_write_buf(struct mtd_info *mtd, const u8 *buf, int len)
 	struct nand_chip *chip = mtd->priv;
 	struct atmel_nand_host *host = chip->priv;
 
-	if (use_dma && len >= mtd->oobsize)
+	if (use_dma && len > mtd->oobsize)
+		/* only use DMA for bigger than oob size: better performances */
 		if (atmel_nand_dma_op(mtd, (void *)buf, len, 0) == 0)
 			return;