diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/pwm_bl.c b/drivers/video/backlight/pwm_bl.c
index a51fbab96368..289bd9ce4d36 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/pwm_bl.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/pwm_bl.c
@@ -626,9 +626,14 @@ static void pwm_backlight_remove(struct platform_device *pdev)
 {
 	struct backlight_device *bl = platform_get_drvdata(pdev);
 	struct pwm_bl_data *pb = bl_get_data(bl);
+	struct pwm_state state;
 
 	backlight_device_unregister(bl);
 	pwm_backlight_power_off(pb);
+	pwm_get_state(pb->pwm, &state);
+	state.duty_cycle = 0;
+	state.enabled = false;
+	pwm_apply_state(pb->pwm, &state);
 
 	if (pb->exit)
 		pb->exit(&pdev->dev);
@@ -638,8 +643,13 @@ static void pwm_backlight_shutdown(struct platform_device *pdev)
 {
 	struct backlight_device *bl = platform_get_drvdata(pdev);
 	struct pwm_bl_data *pb = bl_get_data(bl);
+	struct pwm_state state;
 
 	pwm_backlight_power_off(pb);
+	pwm_get_state(pb->pwm, &state);
+	state.duty_cycle = 0;
+	state.enabled = false;
+	pwm_apply_state(pb->pwm, &state);
 }
 
 #ifdef CONFIG_PM_SLEEP
@@ -647,12 +657,24 @@ static int pwm_backlight_suspend(struct device *dev)
 {
 	struct backlight_device *bl = dev_get_drvdata(dev);
 	struct pwm_bl_data *pb = bl_get_data(bl);
+	struct pwm_state state;
 
 	if (pb->notify)
 		pb->notify(pb->dev, 0);
 
 	pwm_backlight_power_off(pb);
 
+	/*
+	 * Note that disabling the PWM doesn't guarantee that the output stays
+	 * at its inactive state. However without the PWM disabled, the PWM
+	 * driver refuses to suspend. So disable here even though this might
+	 * enable the backlight on poorly designed boards.
+	 */
+	pwm_get_state(pb->pwm, &state);
+	state.duty_cycle = 0;
+	state.enabled = false;
+	pwm_apply_state(pb->pwm, &state);
+
 	if (pb->notify_after)
 		pb->notify_after(pb->dev, 0);