diff --git a/selfdrive/boardd/boardd.cc b/selfdrive/boardd/boardd.cc
index 9819944af8..09e7137b38 100644
--- a/selfdrive/boardd/boardd.cc
+++ b/selfdrive/boardd/boardd.cc
@@ -56,7 +56,6 @@
 using namespace std::chrono_literals;
 
 std::atomic<bool> ignition(false);
-std::atomic<bool> pigeon_active(false);
 
 ExitHandler do_exit;
 
@@ -346,7 +345,7 @@ std::optional<bool> send_panda_states(PubMaster *pm, const std::vector<Panda *>
     }
 
   #ifndef __x86_64__
-    bool power_save_desired = !ignition_local && !pigeon_active;
+    bool power_save_desired = !ignition_local;
     if (health.power_save_enabled_pkt != power_save_desired) {
       panda->set_power_saving(power_save_desired);
     }