diff --git a/drivers/acpi/ibm_acpi.c b/drivers/acpi/ibm_acpi.c
index e7309a668732..36901362fd24 100644
--- a/drivers/acpi/ibm_acpi.c
+++ b/drivers/acpi/ibm_acpi.c
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@
 
 #include <linux/proc_fs.h>
 #include <linux/backlight.h>
+#include <linux/fb.h>
 #include <asm/uaccess.h>
 
 #include <linux/dmi.h>
@@ -1707,7 +1708,10 @@ static int brightness_write(char *buf)
 
 static int brightness_update_status(struct backlight_device *bd)
 {
-	return brightness_set(bd->props.brightness);
+	return brightness_set(
+		(bd->props.fb_blank == FB_BLANK_UNBLANK &&
+		 bd->props.power == FB_BLANK_UNBLANK) ?
+				bd->props.brightness : 0);
 }
 
 static struct backlight_ops ibm_backlight_data = {