diff --git a/firmware/controllers/actuators/idle_thread.cpp b/firmware/controllers/actuators/idle_thread.cpp
index 8f2d40b4ad..be580e66ae 100644
--- a/firmware/controllers/actuators/idle_thread.cpp
+++ b/firmware/controllers/actuators/idle_thread.cpp
@@ -269,6 +269,12 @@ float IdleController::getClosedLoop(IIdleController::Phase phase, float tpsPos,
 }
 
 float IdleController::getIdlePosition() {
+		// Simplify hardware CI: we borrow the idle valve controller as a PWM source for various stimulation tasks
+		// The logic in this function is solidly unit tested, so it's not necessary to re-test the particulars on real hardware.
+		#ifdef HARDWARE_CI
+			return engineConfiguration->manIdlePosition;
+		#endif
+
 	/*
 	 * Here we have idle logic thread - actual stepper movement is implemented in a separate
 	 * working thread see stepper.cpp