diff --git a/homeassistant/components/climate/nuheat.py b/homeassistant/components/climate/nuheat.py
index fc49399c2cc..d49d060f032 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/climate/nuheat.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/climate/nuheat.py
@@ -151,9 +151,21 @@ class NuHeatThermostat(ClimateDevice):
         Return true if away mode is on.
 
         Away mode is determined by setting and HOLDing the target temperature
-        to the minimum temperature supported.
+        to the user-defined minimum away temperature or the minimum
+        temperature supported by the thermostat.
         """
-        if self._thermostat.target_celsius > self._thermostat.min_celsius:
+        if self._min_away_temp:
+            if self._temperature_unit == "C":
+                min_target = self._min_away_temp
+                target = self._thermostat.target_celsius
+            else:
+                min_target = self._min_away_temp
+                target = self._thermostat.target_fahrenheit
+
+            if target > min_target:
+                return False
+
+        elif self._thermostat.target_celsius > self._thermostat.min_celsius:
             return False
 
         if self._thermostat.schedule_mode != SCHEDULE_HOLD:
diff --git a/tests/components/climate/test_nuheat.py b/tests/components/climate/test_nuheat.py
index ba0f6c8a6d6..558122dd366 100644
--- a/tests/components/climate/test_nuheat.py
+++ b/tests/components/climate/test_nuheat.py
@@ -137,13 +137,29 @@ class TestNuHeat(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_is_away_mode_on(self):
         """Test is away mode on."""
         _thermostat = self.thermostat._thermostat
-        _thermostat.target_celsius = _thermostat.min_celsius
         _thermostat.schedule_mode = SCHEDULE_HOLD
+
+        # user-defined minimum fahrenheit
+        self.thermostat._min_away_temp = 59
+        _thermostat.target_fahrenheit = 59
         self.assertTrue(self.thermostat.is_away_mode_on)
 
+        # user-defined minimum celsius
+        self.thermostat._temperature_unit = "C"
+        self.thermostat._min_away_temp = 15
+        _thermostat.target_celsius = 15
+        self.assertTrue(self.thermostat.is_away_mode_on)
+
+        # thermostat's minimum supported temperature
+        self.thermostat._min_away_temp = None
+        _thermostat.target_celsius = _thermostat.min_celsius
+        self.assertTrue(self.thermostat.is_away_mode_on)
+
+        # thermostat held at a temperature above the minimum
         _thermostat.target_celsius = _thermostat.min_celsius + 1
         self.assertFalse(self.thermostat.is_away_mode_on)
 
+        # thermostat not on HOLD
         _thermostat.target_celsius = _thermostat.min_celsius
         _thermostat.schedule_mode = SCHEDULE_RUN
         self.assertFalse(self.thermostat.is_away_mode_on)