diff --git a/core/lib/init.c b/core/lib/init.c
index e21f6bff8436..75abf23dd6b7 100644
--- a/core/lib/init.c
+++ b/core/lib/init.c
@@ -93,7 +93,9 @@ static void *idle_thread(void *arg)
     (void)arg;
 
     while (1) {
-        pm_set_lowest();
+        if (IS_USED(MODULE_PERIPH_PM)) {
+            pm_set_lowest();
+        }
     }
 
     return NULL;