diff --git a/drivers/thermal/thermal_step_wise.c b/drivers/thermal/thermal_step_wise.c
index 979e0dc4e4..b01b057fe1 100644
--- a/drivers/thermal/thermal_step_wise.c
+++ b/drivers/thermal/thermal_step_wise.c
@@ -134,6 +134,10 @@ static unsigned int get_target_state(FAR struct thermal_instance_s *instance,
                 return validate_state(instance, throttle, cur_state, 1);
               }
           }
+        else
+          {
+            return validate_state(instance, throttle, cur_state, -1);
+          }
         break;
 
       default: