diff --git a/components/esp_driver_i2c/i2c_master.c b/components/esp_driver_i2c/i2c_master.c
index 4ee7c2b409..34a7106ef9 100644
--- a/components/esp_driver_i2c/i2c_master.c
+++ b/components/esp_driver_i2c/i2c_master.c
@@ -425,6 +425,8 @@ static void s_i2c_send_commands(i2c_master_bus_handle_t i2c_master, TickType_t t
             i2c_master->cmd_idx = 0;
             i2c_master->trans_idx = 0;
             atomic_store(&i2c_master->status, I2C_STATUS_TIMEOUT);
+            ESP_LOGE(TAG, "I2C software timeout");
+            xSemaphoreGive(i2c_master->cmd_semphr);
             return;
         }