diff --git a/drivers/vhost/vhost.c b/drivers/vhost/vhost.c
index 52a55f6a64ba7..3f92d0d4abfb2 100644
--- a/drivers/vhost/vhost.c
+++ b/drivers/vhost/vhost.c
@@ -371,8 +371,15 @@ int vhost_unregister_device(FAR struct vhost_device *device)
 
 void vhost_register_drivers(void)
 {
+  struct metal_init_params params = METAL_INIT_DEFAULTS;
   int ret;
 
+  ret = metal_init(&params);
+  if (ret < 0)
+    {
+      vrterr("metal_init failed, ret=%d\n", ret);
+    }
+
 #ifdef CONFIG_DRIVERS_VHOST_RNG
   ret = vhost_register_rng_driver();
   if (ret < 0)