diff --git a/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking.cpp b/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking.cpp
index 1d2edb1c98..c00ef4a713 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking.cpp
@@ -198,8 +198,10 @@ void AP_Networking::init()
     start_tests();
 #endif
 
+#if AP_NETWORKING_REGISTER_PORT_ENABLED
     // init network mapped serialmanager ports
     ports_init();
+#endif
 }
 
 /*