diff --git a/selfdrive/controls/controlsd.py b/selfdrive/controls/controlsd.py
index 6cd5060b11..1f0225e0a7 100755
--- a/selfdrive/controls/controlsd.py
+++ b/selfdrive/controls/controlsd.py
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ class Controls:
     if self.sm['deviceState'].memoryUsagePercent > (90 if TICI else 65) and not SIMULATION:
       self.events.add(EventName.lowMemory)
     cpus = list(self.sm['deviceState'].cpuUsagePercent)[:(-1 if EON else None)]
-    if max(cpus, default=0) > 95:
+    if max(cpus, default=0) > 95 and not SIMULATION:
       self.events.add(EventName.highCpuUsage)
 
     # Alert if fan isn't spinning for 5 seconds