diff --git a/GITHUB_SHA.h b/GITHUB_SHA.h
index cfb82e4..2192045 100644
--- a/GITHUB_SHA.h
+++ b/GITHUB_SHA.h
@@ -1 +1 @@
-#define GITHUB_SHA "38be1d6"
+#define GITHUB_SHA "52e8a93"
diff --git a/LiquidCrystal_I2C.cpp b/LiquidCrystal_I2C.cpp
index 30faad3..1697d70 100644
--- a/LiquidCrystal_I2C.cpp
+++ b/LiquidCrystal_I2C.cpp
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ LiquidCrystal_I2C::LiquidCrystal_I2C(uint8_t lcd_Addr, uint8_t lcd_cols,
   lcdRows = lcd_rows;
   lcdCols = lcd_cols;
 
-  _backlightval &= ~LCD_BACKLIGHT;
+  _backlightval = 0;
 
   I2CManager.begin();
   I2CManager.setClock(100000L);    // PCF8574 is spec'd to 100kHz.