diff --git a/bundles/org.openhab.binding.ihc/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/ihc/internal/handler/IhcHandler.java b/bundles/org.openhab.binding.ihc/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/ihc/internal/handler/IhcHandler.java
index 9c7d36ea1e30b..8590338583c23 100644
--- a/bundles/org.openhab.binding.ihc/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/ihc/internal/handler/IhcHandler.java
+++ b/bundles/org.openhab.binding.ihc/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/ihc/internal/handler/IhcHandler.java
@@ -202,16 +202,21 @@ public void handleCommand(ChannelUID channelUID, Command command) {
         logger.debug("Received channel: {}, command: {}", channelUID, command);
 
         if (ihc == null) {
-            logger.warn("Connection is not initialized, abort resource value update for channel '{}'!", channelUID);
+            logger.debug("Connection is not initialized, aborting resource value update for channel '{}'!", channelUID);
             return;
         }
 
         if (ihc.getConnectionState() != ConnectionState.CONNECTED) {
-            logger.warn("Connection to controller is not open, abort resource value update for channel '{}'!",
+            logger.debug("Connection to controller is not open, aborting resource value update for channel '{}'!",
                     channelUID);
             return;
         }
 
+        if (thing.getStatus() != ThingStatus.ONLINE) {
+            logger.debug("Controller is not ONLINE, aborting resource value update for channel '{}'!", channelUID);
+            return;
+        }
+
         switch (channelUID.getId()) {
             case CHANNEL_CONTROLLER_STATE:
                 if (command.equals(RefreshType.REFRESH)) {