diff --git a/board/kevin/board.h b/board/kevin/board.h
index 4dcca31dbe..44a00b22ca 100644
--- a/board/kevin/board.h
+++ b/board/kevin/board.h
@@ -92,6 +92,10 @@
 #define CONFIG_BATTERY_PRESENT_GPIO GPIO_EC_BATT_PRES_L
 #define CONFIG_BATTERY_SMART
 
+#ifdef BOARD_KEVIN
+#define CONFIG_BATTERY_REQUESTS_NIL_WHEN_DEAD
+#endif
+
 #define PD_OPERATING_POWER_MW 15000
 #define PD_MAX_POWER_MW       60000
 #define PD_MAX_CURRENT_MA     3000