diff --git a/drivers/i2s/i2s_mcux_sai.c b/drivers/i2s/i2s_mcux_sai.c
index 2cfd9da8fbb..4449897b533 100644
--- a/drivers/i2s/i2s_mcux_sai.c
+++ b/drivers/i2s/i2s_mcux_sai.c
@@ -1124,6 +1124,8 @@ static int i2s_mcux_initialize(const struct device *dev)
 	/*clock configuration*/
 	audio_clock_settings(dev);
 
+	enable_mclk_direction(dev, dev_cfg->mclk_output);
+
 	SAI_Init(base);
 
 	dev_data->tx.state = I2S_STATE_NOT_READY;