diff --git a/ovos_gui_plugin_shell_companion/brightness.py b/ovos_gui_plugin_shell_companion/brightness.py
index 11cf732..3e7cf47 100644
--- a/ovos_gui_plugin_shell_companion/brightness.py
+++ b/ovos_gui_plugin_shell_companion/brightness.py
@@ -92,11 +92,8 @@ def handle_set_brightness(self, message: Message):
         Args:
             message: The message received from the bus.
         """
-        if not self.fake_brightness:
-            # let external PHAL plugin handle it
-            return
-        LOG.debug("Setting brightness level from bus")
         level = message.data.get("brightness", "")
+        LOG.debug(f"External brightness level update: {level}")
 
         percent_level = 100 * float(level)
         if float(level) < 0: