diff --git a/cpu/cortexm_common/Kconfig b/cpu/cortexm_common/Kconfig
index 8e30fe3174..472281e362 100644
--- a/cpu/cortexm_common/Kconfig
+++ b/cpu/cortexm_common/Kconfig
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ config MODULE_CORTEXM_COMMON
     default y if CPU_CORE_CORTEX_M
     depends on TEST_KCONFIG
     select MODULE_PERIPH
-    select MODULE_MALLOC_THREAD_SAFE
+    select MODULE_MALLOC_THREAD_SAFE if TEST_KCONFIG
     help
         Common code for Cortex-M cores.