diff --git a/src/pwm/pwm.c b/src/pwm/pwm.c
index 32c29f2..3a51370 100644
--- a/src/pwm/pwm.c
+++ b/src/pwm/pwm.c
@@ -268,8 +268,11 @@ mraa_pwm_write(mraa_pwm_context dev, float percentage)
 float
 mraa_pwm_read(mraa_pwm_context dev)
 {
-    float output = mraa_pwm_read_duty(dev) / (float) mraa_pwm_read_period(dev);
-    return output;
+    int period = mraa_pwm_read_period(dev);
+    if (period > 0) {
+         return (mraa_pwm_read_duty(dev) / (float) period);
+    }
+    return 0.0f;
 }
 
 mraa_result_t