diff --git a/boards/arm/nrf52/nrf52840-dk/src/nrf52_bringup.c b/boards/arm/nrf52/nrf52840-dk/src/nrf52_bringup.c
index eb0d8c13aa..b055243e1d 100644
--- a/boards/arm/nrf52/nrf52840-dk/src/nrf52_bringup.c
+++ b/boards/arm/nrf52/nrf52840-dk/src/nrf52_bringup.c
@@ -33,6 +33,10 @@
 #  include <nuttx/leds/userled.h>
 #endif
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_NRF52_SOFTDEVICE_CONTROLLER
+#  include "nrf52_sdc.h"
+#endif
+
 #include "nrf52840-dk.h"
 
 /****************************************************************************
@@ -214,6 +218,15 @@ int nrf52_bringup(void)
     }
 #endif
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_NRF52_SOFTDEVICE_CONTROLLER
+  ret = nrf52_sdc_initialize();
+
+  if (ret < 0)
+    {
+      syslog(LOG_ERR, "ERROR: nrf52_sdc_initialize() failed: %d\n", ret);
+    }
+#endif
+
   UNUSED(ret);
   return OK;
 }