diff --git a/cpu/atmega_common/irq_arch.c b/cpu/atmega_common/irq_arch.c
index da16ec384d..771335b9ef 100644
--- a/cpu/atmega_common/irq_arch.c
+++ b/cpu/atmega_common/irq_arch.c
@@ -70,8 +70,9 @@ unsigned int irq_disable(void)
  */
 unsigned int irq_enable(void)
 {
+    uint8_t mask = __get_interrupt_state();
     sei();
-    return __get_interrupt_state();
+    return mask;
 }
 
 /**