diff --git a/server/smartcard.c b/server/smartcard.c
index 7830c9a1..f948e5b2 100644
--- a/server/smartcard.c
+++ b/server/smartcard.c
@@ -538,10 +538,6 @@ void smartcard_channel_init(void)
 {
     Channel *channel;
 
-    /* don't register the channel if no hardware registered */
-    if (g_smartcard_readers.num == 0) {
-        return;
-    }
     channel = spice_new0(Channel, 1);
     channel->type = SPICE_CHANNEL_SMARTCARD;
     channel->link = smartcard_link;
@@ -549,3 +545,4 @@ void smartcard_channel_init(void)
     channel->migrate = smartcard_migrate;
     reds_register_channel(channel);
 }
+