diff --git a/drivers/hwmon/lm90.c b/drivers/hwmon/lm90.c
index 12a8af36c201..09efdc45a6bb 100644
--- a/drivers/hwmon/lm90.c
+++ b/drivers/hwmon/lm90.c
@@ -848,7 +848,7 @@ static int lm90_update_device(struct device *dev)
 		 * Re-enable ALERT# output if it was originally enabled and
 		 * relevant alarms are all clear
 		 */
-		if (!(data->config_orig & 0x80) &&
+		if ((client->irq || !(data->config_orig & 0x80)) &&
 		    !(data->alarms & data->alert_alarms)) {
 			if (data->config & 0x80) {
 				dev_dbg(&client->dev, "Re-enabling ALERT#\n");