diff --git a/drivers/gpio/pca953x.c b/drivers/gpio/pca953x.c
index 92583cd4bffd..6e72fd31184d 100644
--- a/drivers/gpio/pca953x.c
+++ b/drivers/gpio/pca953x.c
@@ -184,6 +184,7 @@ static void pca953x_setup_gpio(struct pca953x_chip *chip, int gpios)
 	gc->direction_output = pca953x_gpio_direction_output;
 	gc->get = pca953x_gpio_get_value;
 	gc->set = pca953x_gpio_set_value;
+	gc->can_sleep = 1;
 
 	gc->base = chip->gpio_start;
 	gc->ngpio = gpios;