diff --git a/drivers/thermal/gov_step_wise.c b/drivers/thermal/gov_step_wise.c
index ea277c4..4fa4377 100644
--- a/drivers/thermal/gov_step_wise.c
+++ b/drivers/thermal/gov_step_wise.c
@@ -65,14 +65,12 @@ static unsigned long get_target_state(struct thermal_instance *instance,
 				     min(instance->lower + 1, instance->upper),
 				     instance->upper);
 	} else if (trend == THERMAL_TREND_DROPPING) {
-		if (cur_state <= instance->lower)
-			return THERMAL_NO_TARGET;
-
 		/*
-		 * If 'throttle' is false, no mitigation is necessary, so
-		 * request the lower state for this instance.
+		 * If 'throttle' is false, no mitigation is necessary and
+		 * passive polling is already deactivated, so clear this
+		 * instance state by returning THERMAL_NO_TARGET.
 		 */
-		return instance->lower;
+		return THERMAL_NO_TARGET;
 	}
 
 	return instance->target;