diff --git a/selfdrive/car/interfaces.py b/selfdrive/car/interfaces.py
index a602a06a61..ada906367e 100644
--- a/selfdrive/car/interfaces.py
+++ b/selfdrive/car/interfaces.py
@@ -144,7 +144,8 @@ class CarInterfaceBase():
     elif cs_out.steerWarning:
       # only escalate to the harsher alert after the condition has
       # persisted for 0.5s and we're certain that the user isn't overriding
-      if self.steering_unpressed > int(0.5/DT_CTRL) and self.steer_warning > int(0.5/DT_CTRL):
+      if not cs_out.standstill and self.steering_unpressed > int(0.5 / DT_CTRL) and \
+         self.steer_warning > int(0.5 / DT_CTRL):
         events.add(EventName.steerTempUnavailable)
       else:
         events.add(EventName.steerTempUnavailableSilent)