diff --git a/openair2/LAYER2/NR_MAC_UE/main_ue_nr.c b/openair2/LAYER2/NR_MAC_UE/main_ue_nr.c
index be5a1ae19e..abb98cbc8b 100644
--- a/openair2/LAYER2/NR_MAC_UE/main_ue_nr.c
+++ b/openair2/LAYER2/NR_MAC_UE/main_ue_nr.c
@@ -66,8 +66,8 @@ NR_UE_MAC_INST_t * nr_l2_init_ue(NR_UE_RRC_INST_t* rrc_inst)
         //}
       } else if (rrc_inst->cell_group_config) {
         nr_rrc_mac_config_req_ue(0,0,0,NULL,NULL,rrc_inst->cell_group_config,NULL);
+        AssertFatal(rlc_module_init(0) == 0, "%s: Could not initialize RLC layer\n", __FUNCTION__);
         if (IS_SOFTMODEM_NOS1){
-          AssertFatal(rlc_module_init(0) == 0, "%s: Could not initialize RLC layer\n", __FUNCTION__);
           pdcp_layer_init();
           nr_DRB_preconfiguration(nr_ue_mac_inst->crnti);
         }