diff --git a/lib/internal/bootstrap/node.js b/lib/internal/bootstrap/node.js
index f9bed03d269fb2..1aca1ea2374748 100644
--- a/lib/internal/bootstrap/node.js
+++ b/lib/internal/bootstrap/node.js
@@ -64,7 +64,10 @@
       NativeModule.require('internal/process/write-coverage').setup();
 
     NativeModule.require('internal/trace_events_async_hooks').setup();
-    NativeModule.require('internal/inspector_async_hook').setup();
+
+    if (process.config.variables.v8_enable_inspector) {
+      NativeModule.require('internal/inspector_async_hook').setup();
+    }
 
     _process.setupChannel();
     _process.setupRawDebug();