A system for a fast, closed power control loop that quickly adjusts the output power of a power amplifier in a non-constant amplitude modulation format. Embodiments of the invention allow fast and precise closed loop power control in a communication system that has a transmit signal that includes a phase modulated component and an amplitude modulated signal component. By detecting the level of the transmit signal before and after the power amplifier, the invention ignores changes in the amplitude of the transmit signal, resulting in an accurate measure of the power amplifier gain. The difference between the level of the transmit signal before and after the power amplifier provides a signal that represents the gain of the power amplifier. The gain signal is compared with a reference signal to develop an error signal. The error signal is used to control the output of the power amplifier.