diff --git a/drivers/thermal/gov_step_wise.c b/drivers/thermal/gov_step_wise.c
index aad98e06d66b9..ee2fb4e63d147 100644
--- a/drivers/thermal/gov_step_wise.c
+++ b/drivers/thermal/gov_step_wise.c
@@ -92,15 +92,13 @@ static void thermal_zone_trip_update(struct thermal_zone_device *tz,
 		if (instance->initialized && old_target == instance->target)
 			continue;
 
-		if (old_target == THERMAL_NO_TARGET &&
-		    instance->target != THERMAL_NO_TARGET) {
-			/* Activate a passive thermal instance */
-			if (trip->type == THERMAL_TRIP_PASSIVE)
+		if (trip->type == THERMAL_TRIP_PASSIVE) {
+			/* If needed, update the status of passive polling. */
+			if (old_target == THERMAL_NO_TARGET &&
+			    instance->target != THERMAL_NO_TARGET)
 				tz->passive++;
-		} else if (old_target != THERMAL_NO_TARGET &&
-			   instance->target == THERMAL_NO_TARGET) {
-			/* Deactivate a passive thermal instance */
-			if (trip->type == THERMAL_TRIP_PASSIVE)
+			else if (old_target != THERMAL_NO_TARGET &&
+				 instance->target == THERMAL_NO_TARGET)
 				tz->passive--;
 		}