diff --git a/tests/unittests/main.c b/tests/unittests/main.c
index 23399752d5..8c6092b80b 100644
--- a/tests/unittests/main.c
+++ b/tests/unittests/main.c
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ int main(void)
     ztimer_init();
 #endif
 
-#ifdef MODULE_XTIMER
+#if IS_USED(MODULE_XTIMER) && !IS_USED(MODULE_ZTIMER_XTIMER_COMPAT)
     /* auto_init is disabled, but some modules depends on this module being initialized */
     xtimer_init();
 #endif