diff --git a/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/Pixhawk5X/hwdef-bl.dat b/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/Pixhawk5X/hwdef-bl.dat
index 5b9a535f5e..82db60d63e 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/Pixhawk5X/hwdef-bl.dat
+++ b/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/Pixhawk5X/hwdef-bl.dat
@@ -70,9 +70,9 @@ PD9 USART3_RX USART3 NODMA
 # armed indication
 PC12 nARMED OUTPUT HIGH
 
-# start peripheral power off
-PF12 nVDD_5V_HIPOWER_EN OUTPUT HIGH
-PG4  nVDD_5V_PERIPH_EN OUTPUT HIGH
+# start peripheral power on
+PF12 nVDD_5V_HIPOWER_EN OUTPUT LOW
+PG4  nVDD_5V_PERIPH_EN OUTPUT LOW
 
 # LEDs
 PE3 LED_ACTIVITY OUTPUT OPENDRAIN HIGH # red
diff --git a/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/Pixhawk5X/hwdef.dat b/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/Pixhawk5X/hwdef.dat
index 0be4c176b5..bc0651cf2a 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/Pixhawk5X/hwdef.dat
+++ b/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/Pixhawk5X/hwdef.dat
@@ -214,11 +214,9 @@ PD15 VDD_3V3_SENSORS2_EN OUTPUT HIGH
 PE7  VDD_3V3_SENSORS3_EN OUTPUT HIGH
 PG8  VDD_3V3_SENSORS4_EN OUTPUT HIGH
 
-# start peripheral power off, then enable after init
-# this prevents a problem with radios that use RTS for
-# bootloader hold
-PF12 nVDD_5V_HIPOWER_EN OUTPUT HIGH
-PG4  nVDD_5V_PERIPH_EN OUTPUT HIGH
+# start peripheral power on
+PF12 nVDD_5V_HIPOWER_EN OUTPUT LOW
+PG4  nVDD_5V_PERIPH_EN OUTPUT LOW
 
 # Control of Spektrum power pin
 PH2 SPEKTRUM_PWR OUTPUT HIGH GPIO(73)