An edge-lit lighting fixture includes a light emitting panel (LEP) and a light emitting diode (LED) light source that is positioned proximal to a perimeter edge of the LEP and configured to emit a light into the LEP through the perimeter edge. At least a portion of the light is emitted through the broad surface of the LEP as an illumination light to illuminate an area. The edge-lit lighting fixture further includes a sensor positioned at a broad surface of the LEP to detect ambient light in the area. The LED light source is powered on based on the light sensor. The edge-lit lighting fixture also includes a sensor shield positioned around a portion of the sensor to block the illumination light from directly reaching the sensor.