diff --git a/pyhap/accessory_driver.py b/pyhap/accessory_driver.py
index 782f492a..e933a2ec 100644
--- a/pyhap/accessory_driver.py
+++ b/pyhap/accessory_driver.py
@@ -829,7 +829,7 @@ def get_characteristics(self, char_ids):
             try:
                 if aid == STANDALONE_AID:
                     char = self.accessory.iid_manager.get_obj(iid)
-                    available = True
+                    available = self.accessory.available
                 else:
                     acc = self.accessory.accessories.get(aid)
                     if acc is None:
diff --git a/tests/test_accessory_driver.py b/tests/test_accessory_driver.py
index f03761c2..7db2a50f 100644
--- a/tests/test_accessory_driver.py
+++ b/tests/test_accessory_driver.py
@@ -80,6 +80,53 @@ def available(self):
         return False
 
 
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("bridged", [False, True], ids=["standalone", "bridged"])
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("available", [False, True], ids=["unavailable", "available"])
+def test_get_characteristics_honors_availability(driver, bridged, available):
+    """Respect accessory availability for standalone and bridged reads."""
+    accessory_type = Accessory if available else UnavailableAccessory
+    acc = accessory_type(
+        driver, "Test Accessory", aid=2 if bridged else STANDALONE_AID
+    )
+    service = Service(uuid1(), "Test Service")
+    char = Characteristic("Value", uuid1(), CHAR_PROPS)
+    getter = MagicMock(return_value=42)
+    char.getter_callback = getter
+    service.add_characteristic(char)
+    acc.add_service(service)
+    if bridged:
+        bridge = Bridge(driver, "Test Bridge")
+        bridge.add_accessory(acc)
+        driver.add_accessory(bridge)
+    else:
+        driver.add_accessory(acc)
+    iid = acc.iid_manager.get_iid(char)
+
+    result = driver.get_characteristics([f"{acc.aid}.{iid}"])
+
+    expected = {
+        HAP_REPR_AID: acc.aid,
+        HAP_REPR_IID: iid,
+        HAP_REPR_STATUS: HAP_SERVER_STATUS.SERVICE_COMMUNICATION_FAILURE,
+    }
+    if available:
+        expected[HAP_REPR_STATUS] = HAP_SERVER_STATUS.SUCCESS
+        expected[HAP_REPR_VALUE] = 42
+        getter.assert_called_once_with()
+    else:
+        getter.assert_not_called()
+    assert result == {HAP_REPR_CHARS: [expected]}
+
+    if not available:
+        with patch.object(UnavailableAccessory, "available", True):
+            expected[HAP_REPR_STATUS] = HAP_SERVER_STATUS.SUCCESS
+            expected[HAP_REPR_VALUE] = 42
+            assert driver.get_characteristics([f"{acc.aid}.{iid}"]) == {
+                HAP_REPR_CHARS: [expected]
+            }
+        getter.assert_called_once_with()
+
+
 def test_auto_add_aid_mac(driver: AccessoryDriver):
     acc = Accessory(driver, "Test Accessory")
     driver.add_accessory(acc)