diff --git a/selfdrive/car/volkswagen/carcontroller.py b/selfdrive/car/volkswagen/carcontroller.py
index be7d3f95271fbe..fc2ba464822c24 100644
--- a/selfdrive/car/volkswagen/carcontroller.py
+++ b/selfdrive/car/volkswagen/carcontroller.py
@@ -60,7 +60,8 @@ def update(self, CC, CS, ext_bus, now_nanos, frogpilot_variables):
           self.steeringRate = CS.out.steeringRateDeg if CS.out.steeringRateDeg >= 0 else CS.out.steeringRateDeg *-1
           if ((self.steeringAngle >= self.hca_centerDeadbandHigh) or \
                ((CS.out.leftBlinker or CS.out.rightBlinker) and abs(new_steer >= self.hca_deadbandNM_switch)) or \
-               (abs(new_steer) >= (self.hca_deadbandNM_switch / 3) and not (CS.out.leftBlinker or CS.out.rightBlinker)) or \
+               (abs(new_steer) >= (self.hca_deadbandNM_switch / 3) and not (CS.out.leftBlinker or CS.out.rightBlinker) and \
+                                        self.steeringAngle >= self.hca_centerDeadbandLow) or \
                (self.hca_mode == 7 and ((abs(new_steer) >= 25 and self.steeringAngle <= self.hca_centerDeadbandLow) or \
                                          self.steeringAngle >= self.hca_centerDeadbandLow))):