diff --git a/drivers/sensor/aosong/dht/dht.c b/drivers/sensor/aosong/dht/dht.c
index 88d16f1c6e7..58a282f4cb2 100644
--- a/drivers/sensor/aosong/dht/dht.c
+++ b/drivers/sensor/aosong/dht/dht.c
@@ -67,21 +67,26 @@ static int dht_sample_fetch(const struct device *dev,
 	uint8_t buf[5];
 	unsigned int i, j;
 
-#if defined(CONFIG_DHT_LOCK_IRQS)
-	int lock;
-#endif
-
 	__ASSERT_NO_MSG(chan == SENSOR_CHAN_ALL);
 
+#if defined(CONFIG_DHT_LOCK_IRQS)
+	/* Get the lock before any pin interaction since irq_lock has a */
+	/* potential of causing delays itself.                          */
+	int lock = irq_lock();
+#endif
+
 	/* assert to send start signal */
 	gpio_pin_set_dt(&cfg->dio_gpio, true);
 
-#if defined(CONFIG_DHT_LOCK_IRQS)
-	lock = irq_lock();
-#endif
-
 	k_busy_wait(DHT_START_SIGNAL_DURATION);
 
+	/* set the state back to logic LOW (voltage HIGH) so that the   */
+	/* subsequent call to dht_measure_signal duration waits for the */
+	/* DHT sensor to set it back to HIGH (voltage LOW).             */
+	/* Failure to do this would cause that subsequent call to       */
+	/* return immediately.                                          */
+	gpio_pin_set_dt(&cfg->dio_gpio, false);
+
 	/* switch to DIR_IN to read sensor signals */
 	gpio_pin_configure_dt(&cfg->dio_gpio, GPIO_INPUT);