diff --git a/drivers/thermal/step_wise.c b/drivers/thermal/step_wise.c
index 3b54c2c226d82..fdd1f523a1eda 100644
--- a/drivers/thermal/step_wise.c
+++ b/drivers/thermal/step_wise.c
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ static unsigned long get_target_state(struct thermal_instance *instance,
 			next_target = instance->upper;
 		break;
 	case THERMAL_TREND_DROPPING:
-		if (cur_state == instance->lower) {
+		if (cur_state <= instance->lower) {
 			if (!throttle)
 				next_target = THERMAL_NO_TARGET;
 		} else {