diff --git a/firmware/backlight.c b/firmware/backlight.c
index 3acc89c27c..caff55ce5e 100644
--- a/firmware/backlight.c
+++ b/firmware/backlight.c
@@ -499,6 +499,10 @@ static void backlight_update_state(void)
     if (UNLIKELY(timeout < 0))
     {
         do_backlight_off();
+#if defined(HAVE_TRANSFLECTIVE_LCD) && defined(HAVE_LCD_SLEEP)
+        /* LCD must be enabled to allow "passive" operation (backlight always off) */
+        lcd_awake();
+#endif
 #if (CONFIG_BACKLIGHT_FADING == BACKLIGHT_FADING_SW_SETTING) \
     || (CONFIG_BACKLIGHT_FADING == BACKLIGHT_FADING_SW_HW_REG)
         /* necessary step to issue fading down when the setting is selected */
diff --git a/firmware/export/backlight.h b/firmware/export/backlight.h
index 6d029790b3..326de4ce28 100644
--- a/firmware/export/backlight.h
+++ b/firmware/export/backlight.h
@@ -64,6 +64,10 @@ void lcd_set_sleep_after_backlight_off(int timeout_seconds);
 void lcd_awake(void);
 #endif
 
+#ifdef HAVE_LCD_SLEEP
+void lcd_awake(void);
+#endif
+
 #else /* !HAVE_BACKLIGHT */
 #define backlight_init()
 #endif /* !HAVE_BACKLIGHT */