diff --git a/board/qca/arm/common/board_init.c b/board/qca/arm/common/board_init.c
index 799d487cd2..5410f71fe4 100644
--- a/board/qca/arm/common/board_init.c
+++ b/board/qca/arm/common/board_init.c
@@ -214,9 +214,11 @@ int board_init(void)
 #endif
 	}
 #endif
-	ret = ipq_board_usb_init();
-	if (ret < 0) {
-		printf("WARN: ipq_board_usb_init failed\n");
+	if (sfi->flash_type != SMEM_BOOT_NO_FLASH) {
+		ret = ipq_board_usb_init();
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			printf("WARN: ipq_board_usb_init failed\n");
+		}
 	}
 
 	aquantia_phy_reset_init();