diff --git a/drivers/counter/counter_smartbond_timer.c b/drivers/counter/counter_smartbond_timer.c
index 8dc3baba045f12..5a20ffd76e5f9f 100644
--- a/drivers/counter/counter_smartbond_timer.c
+++ b/drivers/counter/counter_smartbond_timer.c
@@ -68,7 +68,9 @@ static void counter_smartbond_pm_policy_state_lock_get(const struct device *dev)
 static void counter_smartbond_pm_policy_state_lock_put(const struct device *dev)
 {
 	pm_device_runtime_put(dev);
-	pm_policy_state_lock_put(PM_STATE_STANDBY, PM_ALL_SUBSTATES);
+	if (pm_policy_state_lock_is_active(PM_STATE_STANDBY, PM_ALL_SUBSTATES)) {
+		pm_policy_state_lock_put(PM_STATE_STANDBY, PM_ALL_SUBSTATES);
+	}
 }
 
 /*