diff --git a/drivers/thermal/thermal_core.c b/drivers/thermal/thermal_core.c
index 74d3e349a28..f0c91962929 100644
--- a/drivers/thermal/thermal_core.c
+++ b/drivers/thermal/thermal_core.c
@@ -835,7 +835,7 @@ void thermal_zone_device_update(FAR struct thermal_zone_device_s *zdev)
   if (ret < 0)
     {
       therr("Failed to get temperature from zone %s \n", zdev->name);
-      goto unlock;
+      goto delayed_work;
     }
 
   zdev->last_temperature = zdev->temperature;
@@ -896,6 +896,8 @@ void thermal_zone_device_update(FAR struct thermal_zone_device_s *zdev)
         }
     }
 
+delayed_work:
+
   /* Update worker invoke delay */
 
   delay = zdev->params->passive_delay;