During a first mode of operation, a zero current detect (ZCD) signal is asserted in response to detecting a zero current condition at a switch node of a power converter. The power converter enters a light load mode of operation when the ZCD signal is asserted between a beginning point and a trigger point of a period of a PWM signal. A compensator voltage is generated based on a feedback voltage indicative of an output voltage. The compensator voltage is compared to a threshold voltage that represents a limit for the compensator voltage during the light load mode of operation determined over a range of the output voltage. The power converter exits the light load mode back to the first mode of operation in response to the compensator voltage being beyond the threshold voltage.