diff --git a/arch/arm/src/sama5/Kconfig b/arch/arm/src/sama5/Kconfig
index 899e8a6dce..e31197b4b6 100644
--- a/arch/arm/src/sama5/Kconfig
+++ b/arch/arm/src/sama5/Kconfig
@@ -367,6 +367,19 @@ config SAMA5_DBGU_TXBUFSIZE
 		Characters are buffered before being sent.  This specifies
 		the size of the transmit buffer.
 
+config SAMA5_DBGU_NOCONFIG
+	bool "Suppress DBGU configuration"
+	default n
+	depends on SAMA5_BOOT_SDRAM && SAMA5_DBGU_CONSOLE
+	---help---
+		The DBGU is often used by bootloaders to provide the bootloader
+		interface.  If the DBGU is also used as the NuttX console, then it
+		would be best to avoid reconfiguring the DBGU so that the user
+		experience is seamless going from the bootloader to the NuttX
+		console.
+
+if !SAMA5_DBGU_NOCONFIG
+
 config SAMA5_DBGU_BAUD
 	int "BAUD rate"
 	default 115200
@@ -380,6 +393,7 @@ config SAMA5_DBGU_PARITY
 	---help---
 		0=no parity, 1=odd parity, 2=even parity
 
+endif # !SAMA5_DBGU_NOCONFIG
 endmenu #DBGU Configuration
 
 if SAMA5_LCDC
diff --git a/arch/arm/src/sama5/sam_dbgu.c b/arch/arm/src/sama5/sam_dbgu.c
index 4a86921c02..f86cd89a00 100644
--- a/arch/arm/src/sama5/sam_dbgu.c
+++ b/arch/arm/src/sama5/sam_dbgu.c
@@ -164,9 +164,9 @@ static uart_dev_t g_dbgu_port =
  *
  ****************************************************************************/
 
+#if !defined(CONFIG_SUPPRESS_UART_CONFIG) && !defined(CONFIG_SAMA5_DBGU_NOCONFIG)
 static void dbgu_configure(void)
 {
-#ifndef CONFIG_SUPPRESS_UART_CONFIG
   uint32_t regval;
 
   /* Set up the mode register.  Start with normal DBGU mode and the MCK
@@ -200,9 +200,12 @@ static void dbgu_configure(void)
   /* Enable receiver & transmitter */
 
   putreg32((DBGU_CR_RXEN|DBGU_CR_TXEN), SAM_DBGU_CR);
-#endif
 }
 
+#else
+#  define dbgu_configure()
+#endif /* !CONFIG_SUPPRESS_UART_CONFIG && !CONFIG_SAMA5_DBGU_NOCONFIG */
+
 /****************************************************************************
  * Name: dbgu_setup
  *
@@ -237,6 +240,12 @@ static int dbgu_setup(struct uart_dev_s *dev)
 
 static void dbgu_shutdown(struct uart_dev_s *dev)
 {
+#if !defined(CONFIG_SUPPRESS_UART_CONFIG) && !defined(CONFIG_SAMA5_DBGU_NOCONFIG)
+  /* Disable all interrupts */
+
+  putreg32(DBGU_INT_ALLINTS, SAM_DBGU_IDR);
+
+#else
   irqstate_t flags;
 
   /* The following must be atomic */
@@ -251,6 +260,7 @@ static void dbgu_shutdown(struct uart_dev_s *dev)
 
   putreg32(DBGU_INT_ALLINTS, SAM_DBGU_IDR);
   irqrestore(flags);
+#endif
 }
 
 /****************************************************************************