diff --git a/drivers/thermal/cpu_cooling.c b/drivers/thermal/cpu_cooling.c
index c94bf2e5de62..82e15dbb3ac7 100644
--- a/drivers/thermal/cpu_cooling.c
+++ b/drivers/thermal/cpu_cooling.c
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ static int get_property(unsigned int cpu, unsigned long input,
 			continue;
 
 		/* get the frequency order */
-		if (freq != CPUFREQ_ENTRY_INVALID && descend != -1)
+		if (freq != CPUFREQ_ENTRY_INVALID && descend == -1)
 			descend = !!(freq > table[i].frequency);
 
 		freq = table[i].frequency;