diff --git a/zephyr/lib/pm_runtime.c b/zephyr/lib/pm_runtime.c
index 99a23c549d30..2645b1a64441 100644
--- a/zephyr/lib/pm_runtime.c
+++ b/zephyr/lib/pm_runtime.c
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ DECLARE_SOF_UUID("power", power_uuid, 0x76cc9773, 0x440c, 0x4df9,
 DECLARE_TR_CTX(power_tr, SOF_UUID(power_uuid), LOG_LEVEL_INFO);
 
 #if defined(CONFIG_PM_POLICY_CUSTOM)
+struct pm_state_info default_pm_state = {PM_STATE_ACTIVE, 0, 0};
 const struct pm_state_info *pm_policy_next_state(uint8_t cpu, int32_t ticks)
 {
 	unsigned int num_cpu_states;
@@ -65,7 +66,7 @@ const struct pm_state_info *pm_policy_next_state(uint8_t cpu, int32_t ticks)
 		}
 	}
 
-	return NULL;
+	return &default_pm_state;
 }
 #endif /* CONFIG_PM_POLICY_CUSTOM */