diff --git a/drivers/thermal/step_wise.c b/drivers/thermal/step_wise.c
index 4d4ddae1a991..0afbd86e4962 100644
--- a/drivers/thermal/step_wise.c
+++ b/drivers/thermal/step_wise.c
@@ -133,6 +133,9 @@ static void thermal_zone_trip_update(struct thermal_zone_device *tz, int trip)
 		old_target = instance->target;
 		instance->target = get_target_state(instance, trend, throttle);
 
+		if (old_target == instance->target)
+			continue;
+
 		/* Activate a passive thermal instance */
 		if (old_target == THERMAL_NO_TARGET &&
 			instance->target != THERMAL_NO_TARGET)