Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may transmit a first sensing signal of a radio frequency (RF) sensing procedure at a first transmit power. The UE may receive, from a base station at least in part in response to the first sensing signal, a power control message for sensing signals of the RF sensing procedure. The power control message may indicate a power control strategy for transmitting sensing signals of the RF sensing procedure. The UE may then transmit, at a second transmit power based on the received power control message, a second sensing signal of the RF sensing procedure.