diff --git a/src/modules/SX126x/SX126x.cpp b/src/modules/SX126x/SX126x.cpp
index fde974a3..9498544c 100644
--- a/src/modules/SX126x/SX126x.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/SX126x/SX126x.cpp
@@ -534,9 +534,10 @@ int16_t SX126x::readData(uint8_t* data, size_t len) {
 
   // check integrity CRC
   uint16_t irq = getIrqStatus();
+  int16_t crcState = ERR_NONE;
   if((irq & SX126X_IRQ_CRC_ERR) || (irq & SX126X_IRQ_HEADER_ERR)) {
     clearIrqStatus();
-    return(ERR_CRC_MISMATCH);
+    crcState = ERR_CRC_MISMATCH;
   }
 
   // get packet length
@@ -552,6 +553,9 @@ int16_t SX126x::readData(uint8_t* data, size_t len) {
   // clear interrupt flags
   state = clearIrqStatus();
 
+  // check if CRC failed - this is done after reading data to give user the option to keep them
+  RADIOLIB_ASSERT(crcState);
+
   return(state);
 }