diff --git a/Adafruit_VCNL4000/Adafruit_VCNL4000.py b/Adafruit_VCNL4000/Adafruit_VCNL4000.py
index 4d307536..5bf98be0 100755
--- a/Adafruit_VCNL4000/Adafruit_VCNL4000.py
+++ b/Adafruit_VCNL4000/Adafruit_VCNL4000.py
@@ -46,16 +46,16 @@ def __init__(self, address=0x13):
   def read_proximity(self):
     self.i2c.write8(VCNL4000_COMMAND, VCNL4000_MEASUREPROXIMITY)
     while True:
+      time.sleep(0.001)
       result = self.i2c.readU8(VCNL4000_COMMAND)
-      if (result and VCNL4000_PROXIMITYREADY):
+      if (result & VCNL4000_PROXIMITYREADY):
         return self.i2c.readU16(VCNL4000_PROXIMITYDATA)
-      time.sleep(0.001)
 
   # Read data from ambient sensor  
   def read_ambient(self):
     self.i2c.write8(VCNL4000_COMMAND, VCNL4000_MEASUREAMBIENT)
     while True:
+      time.sleep(0.001)
       result = self.i2c.readU8(VCNL4000_COMMAND)
-      if (result and VCNL4000_AMBIENTREADY):
+      if (result & VCNL4000_AMBIENTREADY):
         return self.i2c.readU16(VCNL4000_AMBIENTDATA)
-      time.sleep(0.001)