A temperature compensation technique employing a directional coupler providing signals from a forward sample port to a detector circuit for providing a DC output representative of transmitted power. A temperature compensation circuit including a current source is coupled to a reverse sample port of the directional coupler for providing a compensating DC bias current via said coupler, to the detector circuit. The detector circuit and the temperature compensation circuit each include matched diodes and corresponding circuits for tracking temperature and offsetting the effects of temperature on the DC output of the detector circuit.