diff --git a/bundles/org.openhab.binding.epsonprojector/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/epsonprojector/internal/handler/EpsonProjectorHandler.java b/bundles/org.openhab.binding.epsonprojector/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/epsonprojector/internal/handler/EpsonProjectorHandler.java
index d9029b21de245..2d8cc2ca41497 100644
--- a/bundles/org.openhab.binding.epsonprojector/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/epsonprojector/internal/handler/EpsonProjectorHandler.java
+++ b/bundles/org.openhab.binding.epsonprojector/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/epsonprojector/internal/handler/EpsonProjectorHandler.java
@@ -156,10 +156,13 @@ private void updateChannelState(Channel channel) {
             State state = queryDataFromDevice(epsonCommand);
 
             if (state != null) {
-                updateStatus(ThingStatus.ONLINE);
                 if (isLinked(channel.getUID())) {
                     updateState(channel.getUID(), state);
                 }
+                // the first valid response will cause the thing to go ONLINE
+                if (state != UnDefType.UNDEF) {
+                    updateStatus(ThingStatus.ONLINE);
+                }
             }
         } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
             logger.warn("Unknown channel {}", channel.getUID().getId());