diff --git a/FreeModbus/modbus/functions/mbfuncholding.c b/FreeModbus/modbus/functions/mbfuncholding.c
index e74a062..7921302 100644
--- a/FreeModbus/modbus/functions/mbfuncholding.c
+++ b/FreeModbus/modbus/functions/mbfuncholding.c
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ eMBFuncReadHoldingRegister( UCHAR * pucFrame, USHORT * usLen )
         usRegAddress++;
 
         usRegCount = ( USHORT )( pucFrame[MB_PDU_FUNC_READ_REGCNT_OFF] << 8 );
-        usRegCount = ( USHORT )( pucFrame[MB_PDU_FUNC_READ_REGCNT_OFF + 1] );
+        usRegCount |= ( USHORT )( pucFrame[MB_PDU_FUNC_READ_REGCNT_OFF + 1] );
 
         /* Check if the number of registers to read is valid. If not
          * return Modbus illegal data value exception.