diff --git a/drivers/thermal/intel_powerclamp.c b/drivers/thermal/intel_powerclamp.c
index 492bb3ec6546..3ad68402ff96 100644
--- a/drivers/thermal/intel_powerclamp.c
+++ b/drivers/thermal/intel_powerclamp.c
@@ -518,11 +518,7 @@ static int start_power_clamp(void)
 	get_online_cpus();
 
 	/* prefer BSP */
-	control_cpu = 0;
-	if (!cpu_online(control_cpu)) {
-		control_cpu = get_cpu();
-		put_cpu();
-	}
+	control_cpu = cpumask_first(cpu_online_mask);
 
 	clamping = true;
 	schedule_delayed_work(&poll_pkg_cstate_work, 0);