diff --git a/drivers/hd44780/hd44780.c b/drivers/hd44780/hd44780.c
index 73b2a60729..4895c9b9db 100644
--- a/drivers/hd44780/hd44780.c
+++ b/drivers/hd44780/hd44780.c
@@ -118,6 +118,7 @@ int hd44780_init(hd44780_t *dev, const hd44780_params_t *params)
         }
     }
     /* set mode depending on configured pins */
+    dev->flag = 0;
     if (count_pins < HD44780_MAX_PINS) {
         dev->flag |= HD44780_4BITMODE;
     }