diff --git a/boot/vbe_simple.c b/boot/vbe_simple.c
index 59676d8613..12682abd39 100644
--- a/boot/vbe_simple.c
+++ b/boot/vbe_simple.c
@@ -148,11 +148,13 @@ static int vbe_simple_read_bootflow(struct udevice *dev, struct bootflow *bflow)
 {
 	int ret;
 
-	if (vbe_phase() == VBE_PHASE_FIRMWARE) {
-		ret = vbe_simple_read_bootflow_fw(dev, bflow);
-		if (ret)
-			return log_msg_ret("fw", ret);
-		return 0;
+	if (CONFIG_IS_ENABLED(BOOTMETH_VBE_SIMPLE_FW)) {
+		if (vbe_phase() == VBE_PHASE_FIRMWARE) {
+			ret = vbe_simple_read_bootflow_fw(dev, bflow);
+			if (ret)
+				return log_msg_ret("fw", ret);
+			return 0;
+		}
 	}
 
 	return -EINVAL;