diff --git a/drivers/thermal/intel/intel_powerclamp.c b/drivers/thermal/intel/intel_powerclamp.c
index c841ab37e7c6d..46cd799af148d 100644
--- a/drivers/thermal/intel/intel_powerclamp.c
+++ b/drivers/thermal/intel/intel_powerclamp.c
@@ -532,8 +532,10 @@ static int start_power_clamp(void)
 
 	/* prefer BSP */
 	control_cpu = 0;
-	if (!cpu_online(control_cpu))
-		control_cpu = smp_processor_id();
+	if (!cpu_online(control_cpu)) {
+		control_cpu = get_cpu();
+		put_cpu();
+	}
 
 	clamping = true;
 	schedule_delayed_work(&poll_pkg_cstate_work, 0);