diff --git a/drivers/iio/adc/ad7944.c b/drivers/iio/adc/ad7944.c
index 2f949fe55873..70f313545af2 100644
--- a/drivers/iio/adc/ad7944.c
+++ b/drivers/iio/adc/ad7944.c
@@ -189,11 +189,6 @@ static int ad7944_3wire_cs_mode_init_msg(struct device *dev, struct ad7944_adc *
 						   : adc->timing_spec->conv_ns;
 	struct spi_transfer *xfers = adc->xfers;
 
-	/*
-	 * NB: can get better performance from some SPI controllers if we use
-	 * the same bits_per_word in every transfer.
-	 */
-	xfers[0].bits_per_word = chan->scan_type.realbits;
 	/*
 	 * CS is tied to CNV and we need a low to high transition to start the
 	 * conversion, so place CNV low for t_QUIET to prepare for this.
@@ -208,7 +203,6 @@ static int ad7944_3wire_cs_mode_init_msg(struct device *dev, struct ad7944_adc *
 	xfers[1].cs_off = 1;
 	xfers[1].delay.value = t_conv_ns;
 	xfers[1].delay.unit = SPI_DELAY_UNIT_NSECS;
-	xfers[1].bits_per_word = chan->scan_type.realbits;
 
 	/* Then we can read the data during the acquisition phase */
 	xfers[2].rx_buf = &adc->sample.raw;
@@ -227,11 +221,6 @@ static int ad7944_4wire_mode_init_msg(struct device *dev, struct ad7944_adc *adc
 						   : adc->timing_spec->conv_ns;
 	struct spi_transfer *xfers = adc->xfers;
 
-	/*
-	 * NB: can get better performance from some SPI controllers if we use
-	 * the same bits_per_word in every transfer.
-	 */
-	xfers[0].bits_per_word = chan->scan_type.realbits;
 	/*
 	 * CS has to be high for full conversion time to avoid triggering the
 	 * busy indication.