diff --git a/drivers/iio/chemical/ccs811.c b/drivers/iio/chemical/ccs811.c
index fbe2431f5b81..1ea9f5513b02 100644
--- a/drivers/iio/chemical/ccs811.c
+++ b/drivers/iio/chemical/ccs811.c
@@ -133,6 +133,9 @@ static int ccs811_start_sensor_application(struct i2c_client *client)
 	if (ret < 0)
 		return ret;
 
+	if ((ret & CCS811_STATUS_FW_MODE_APPLICATION))
+		return 0;
+
 	if ((ret & CCS811_STATUS_APP_VALID_MASK) !=
 	    CCS811_STATUS_APP_VALID_LOADED)
 		return -EIO;