diff --git a/drivers/cpuidle/cpuidle.c b/drivers/cpuidle/cpuidle.c
index e371d6972f8d..20b9f77a8fb0 100644
--- a/drivers/cpuidle/cpuidle.c
+++ b/drivers/cpuidle/cpuidle.c
@@ -319,6 +319,16 @@ int cpuidle_enter_state(struct cpuidle_device *dev, struct cpuidle_driver *drv,
 int cpuidle_select(struct cpuidle_driver *drv, struct cpuidle_device *dev,
 		   bool *stop_tick)
 {
+	/*
+	 * If there is only a single idle state (or none), there is nothing
+	 * meaningful for the governor to choose. Skip the governor and
+	 * always use state 0 with the tick running.
+	 */
+	if (drv->state_count <= 1) {
+		*stop_tick = false;
+		return 0;
+	}
+
 	return cpuidle_curr_governor->select(drv, dev, stop_tick);
 }