A method for method for inhibiting thermal run-away in a multi-phase power converter at varying load transition rates. A multi-phase power converter having an on-time is provided and the frequency of the multi-phase power converter is adjusted so that a load step period and the on time of the multi-phase power converter are in a temporal relationship. Alternatively, a load step rate is inhibited from locking onto a phase current of the multi-phase power converter by suspending an oscillator signal. In accordance with another alternative, a load step rate is inhibited from locking onto a phase current of the multi-phase power converter by suspending an oscillator signal and dithering an input signal to the oscillator.