To facilitate efficient LBT sidelink sensing procedures, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided. An example method of a sidelink wireless device includes initiating an LBT sidelink sensing procedure including initiating an LBT timer to run for at least a minimum sensing duration in a channel. The example method further includes detecting one or more signals in the channel during the LBT sidelink sensing procedure. The example method further includes allowing the LBT timer to continue to run.