diff --git a/homeassistant/components/whirlpool/sensor.py b/homeassistant/components/whirlpool/sensor.py
index 5b83c35cca4..de415035c76 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/whirlpool/sensor.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/whirlpool/sensor.py
@@ -296,9 +296,9 @@ class WasherDryerTimeClass(RestoreSensor):
             )
 
             if (
-                isinstance(self._attr_native_value, datetime)
+                self._attr_native_value is None
+                or isinstance(self._attr_native_value, datetime)
                 and abs(new_timestamp - self._attr_native_value) > timedelta(seconds=60)
-                or self._attr_native_value is None
             ):
                 self._attr_native_value = new_timestamp
                 self._async_write_ha_state()
diff --git a/tests/components/whirlpool/test_sensor.py b/tests/components/whirlpool/test_sensor.py
index 063ebd49c4c..be78b0e2df8 100644
--- a/tests/components/whirlpool/test_sensor.py
+++ b/tests/components/whirlpool/test_sensor.py
@@ -311,10 +311,11 @@ async def test_no_restore_state(
     await init_integration(hass)
     # restore from cache
     state = hass.states.get(entity_id)
-    state.state = "unknown"
+    assert state.state == "unknown"
 
+    mock_sensor1_api.get_machine_state.return_value = MachineState.RunningMainCycle
     state = await update_sensor_state(hass, entity_id, mock_sensor1_api)
-    state.state = datetime.now().isoformat()
+    assert state.state != "unknown"
 
 
 async def test_callback(