diff --git a/spring-batch-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/core/StepContribution.java b/spring-batch-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/core/StepContribution.java
index bb6cacf86..483e51e3b 100644
--- a/spring-batch-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/core/StepContribution.java
+++ b/spring-batch-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/core/StepContribution.java
@@ -59,13 +59,6 @@ public class StepContribution {
 		readCount++;
 	}
 
-	/**
-	 * Increment the counter for the number of items read.
-	 */
-	public void incrementReadCount(int count) {
-		readCount += count;
-	}
-
 	/**
 	 * Increment the counter for the number of items written.
 	 */
diff --git a/spring-batch-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/core/step/item/ChunkOrientedTasklet.java b/spring-batch-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/core/step/item/ChunkOrientedTasklet.java
index 0b2f22890..cba070236 100644
--- a/spring-batch-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/core/step/item/ChunkOrientedTasklet.java
+++ b/spring-batch-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/core/step/item/ChunkOrientedTasklet.java
@@ -135,6 +135,7 @@ public class ChunkOrientedTasklet<T, S> implements Tasklet {
 						return ExitStatus.FINISHED;
 					}
 					inputs.add(item);
+					contribution.incrementReadCount();
 					return ExitStatus.CONTINUABLE;
 				}
 			});
@@ -143,8 +144,6 @@ public class ChunkOrientedTasklet<T, S> implements Tasklet {
 			if (inputs.isEmpty()) {
 				return result;
 			}
-
-			contribution.incrementReadCount(inputs.size());
 			
 			storeInputs(attributes, inputs);