diff --git a/drivers/perf/riscv_pmu.c b/drivers/perf/riscv_pmu.c
index ebca5eab9c9b..56897d4d4fd3 100644
--- a/drivers/perf/riscv_pmu.c
+++ b/drivers/perf/riscv_pmu.c
@@ -181,9 +181,6 @@ void riscv_pmu_start(struct perf_event *event, int flags)
 	uint64_t max_period = riscv_pmu_ctr_get_width_mask(event);
 	u64 init_val;
 
-	if (WARN_ON_ONCE(!(event->hw.state & PERF_HES_STOPPED)))
-		return;
-
 	if (flags & PERF_EF_RELOAD)
 		WARN_ON_ONCE(!(event->hw.state & PERF_HES_UPTODATE));