diff --git a/kmilo/generic/generic_monitor.cpp b/kmilo/generic/generic_monitor.cpp
index 739b266..5751037 100644
--- a/kmilo/generic/generic_monitor.cpp
+++ b/kmilo/generic/generic_monitor.cpp
@@ -283,25 +283,28 @@ void GenericMonitor::brightnessChange(int direction, int step)
 	DCOPReply reply = tdepowersave->call("brightnessGet");
 	if (reply.isValid())
 	{
-		int brightnessLevel = 100 + (int)reply; // reply value is a negative number between 0 and -100.
-		brightnessLevel += direction * step; // add requested brightness step
-		if (brightnessLevel > 100)
+		int brightnessLevel = (int)reply;
+		if (brightnessLevel >= 0)
 		{
-			brightnessLevel = 100;
+			brightnessLevel += direction * step; // add requested brightness step
+			if (brightnessLevel > 100)
+			{
+				brightnessLevel = 100;
+			}
+			if (brightnessLevel < 0)
+			{
+				brightnessLevel = 0;
+			}
+			if (direction > 0)
+			{
+				tdepowersave->send("do_brightnessUp", step);
+			}
+			else if (direction < 0)
+			{
+				tdepowersave->send("do_brightnessDown", step);
+			}
+			_interface->displayProgress(i18n("Brightness"), brightnessLevel);
 		}
-		if (brightnessLevel < 0)
-		{
-			brightnessLevel = 0;
-		}
-		if (direction > 0)
-		{
-			tdepowersave->send("do_brightnessUp", step);
-		}
-		else if (direction < 0)
-		{
-			tdepowersave->send("do_brightnessDown", step);
-		}
-		_interface->displayProgress(i18n("Brightness"), brightnessLevel);
 	}
 }