A load control device for controlling power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load includes a thyristor, a first current path for conducting current through a gate terminal of the thyristor, and a control circuit for controlling the first current path to conduct a pulse of current through the gate terminal to render the thyristor conductive at a firing time during a present half cycle. The first current path is able to conduct at least one other pulse of current through the gate terminal between the firing time, and a second time that occurs before an end of the present half-cycle, but is prevented from conducting pulses of current between the second time and the end of the present half-cycle. The load control device includes a second current path for conducting current through the electrical load if the thyristor becomes and remains non-conductive during the present half-cycle.