diff --git a/selfdrive/controls/controlsd.py b/selfdrive/controls/controlsd.py
index 7b95b3b29c..76f049ddd2 100755
--- a/selfdrive/controls/controlsd.py
+++ b/selfdrive/controls/controlsd.py
@@ -275,11 +275,12 @@ class Controls:
     #  self.events.add(EventName.highCpuUsage)
 
     # Alert if fan isn't spinning for 5 seconds
-    if self.sm['peripheralState'].fanSpeedRpm == 0 and self.sm['deviceState'].fanSpeedPercentDesired > 50:
-      if (self.sm.frame - self.last_functional_fan_frame) * DT_CTRL > 5.0:
-        self.events.add(EventName.fanMalfunction)
-    else:
-      self.last_functional_fan_frame = self.sm.frame
+    if self.sm['peripheralState'].pandaType != log.PandaState.PandaType.unknown:
+      if self.sm['peripheralState'].fanSpeedRpm == 0 and self.sm['deviceState'].fanSpeedPercentDesired > 50:
+        if (self.sm.frame - self.last_functional_fan_frame) * DT_CTRL > 5.0:
+          self.events.add(EventName.fanMalfunction)
+      else:
+        self.last_functional_fan_frame = self.sm.frame
 
     # Handle calibration status
     cal_status = self.sm['liveCalibration'].calStatus