Aspects of the disclosure relate to a user equipment (UE) for wireless communication. The UE wakes to monitor for a wakeup signal (WUS) having a maximum WUS duration and configured to indicate an upcoming transmission of a paging signal corresponding to the WUS. The UE detects a reference signal tone energy from tones carrying reference signals, detects a WUS tone energy from tones designated for carrying the WUS, and determines whether the WUS is present or absent based on the WUS tone energy and the reference signal tone energy. The UE then transitions to a sleep state prior to an end of the maximum WUS duration when the WUS is determined to be absent. Alternatively, the UE remains awake when the WUS is determined to be present and receives the paging signal corresponding to the WUS. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described.