diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/gpio_backlight.c b/drivers/video/backlight/gpio_backlight.c
index 5c5c99f7979e3..30ec5b6845335 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/gpio_backlight.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/gpio_backlight.c
@@ -87,8 +87,7 @@ static int gpio_backlight_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 		/* Not booted with device tree or no phandle link to the node */
 		bl->props.power = def_value ? FB_BLANK_UNBLANK
 					    : FB_BLANK_POWERDOWN;
-	else if (gpiod_get_direction(gbl->gpiod) == 0 &&
-		 gpiod_get_value_cansleep(gbl->gpiod) == 0)
+	else if (gpiod_get_value_cansleep(gbl->gpiod) == 0)
 		bl->props.power = FB_BLANK_POWERDOWN;
 	else
 		bl->props.power = FB_BLANK_UNBLANK;