diff --git a/plugins/power/gsd-power-manager.c b/plugins/power/gsd-power-manager.c
index b64df31..9fe1da4 100644
--- a/plugins/power/gsd-power-manager.c
+++ b/plugins/power/gsd-power-manager.c
@@ -2560,17 +2560,20 @@ idle_set_mode (GsdPowerManager *manager, GsdPowerIdleMode mode)
                         g_error_free (error);
                         return;
                 }
-                idle_brigntness = g_settings_get_int (manager->priv->settings,
+                idle_brightness = g_settings_get_int (manager->priv->settings,
                                                       "idle-brightness");
-                ret = backlight_set_percentage (manager,
-                                                idle_brigntness,
-                                                &error);
-                if (!ret) {
-                        g_warning ("failed to set dim backlight to %i: %s",
-                                   idle_brigntness,
-                                   error->message);
-                        g_error_free (error);
-                        return;
+
+                if (manager->priv->pre_dim_brightness > idle_brightness) {
+                    ret = backlight_set_percentage (manager,
+                                                    idle_brightness,
+                                                    &error);
+                    if (!ret) {
+                            g_warning ("failed to set dim backlight to %i: %s",
+                                       idle_brightness,
+                                       error->message);
+                            g_error_free (error);
+                            return;
+                    }
                 }
 
         /* turn off screen */
