diff --git a/msm/dsi/dsi_panel.c b/msm/dsi/dsi_panel.c
index 47699509cd..6449a19b9c 100644
--- a/msm/dsi/dsi_panel.c
+++ b/msm/dsi/dsi_panel.c
@@ -573,7 +573,7 @@ static int dsi_panel_update_pwm_backlight(struct dsi_panel *panel,
 		return 0;
 	}
 
-	if (!bl->pwm_enabled) {
+	if (bl_lvl != 0 && !bl->pwm_enabled) {
 		rc = pwm_enable(bl->pwm_bl);
 		if (rc) {
 			DSI_ERR("[%s] failed to enable pwm, rc=\n", panel->name,