diff --git a/adafruit_l3gd20.py b/adafruit_l3gd20.py
index 4266ef3..27d52ab 100644
--- a/adafruit_l3gd20.py
+++ b/adafruit_l3gd20.py
@@ -236,8 +236,7 @@ def read_register(self, register):
         """
         self.buffer[0] = register
         with self.i2c_device as i2c:
-            i2c.write(self.buffer, end=1, stop=False)
-            i2c.readinto(self.buffer, start=1)
+            i2c.write_then_readinto(self.buffer, self.buffer, out_end=1, in_start=1)
         return self.buffer[1]
 
 class L3GD20_SPI(L3GD20):