diff --git a/Adafruit_MCP230xx/Adafruit_MCP230xx.py b/Adafruit_MCP230xx/Adafruit_MCP230xx.py
index dc1b9c27..a0fe5442 100755
--- a/Adafruit_MCP230xx/Adafruit_MCP230xx.py
+++ b/Adafruit_MCP230xx/Adafruit_MCP230xx.py
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ def output(self, pin, value):
 
     def input(self, pin):
         assert pin >= 0 and pin < self.num_gpios, "Pin number %s is invalid, only 0-%s are valid" % (pin, self.num_gpios)
-        assert self.direction & (1 << pin) != 0, "Pin %s not set to input" % pin
+        #assert self.direction & (1 << pin) != 0, "Pin %s not set to input" % pin
         if self.num_gpios <= 8:
             value = self.i2c.readU8(MCP23008_GPIOA)
         elif self.num_gpios > 8 and self.num_gpios <= 16: