diff --git a/boards/risc-v/qemu-rv/rv-virt/src/qemu_rv_appinit.c b/boards/risc-v/qemu-rv/rv-virt/src/qemu_rv_appinit.c
index d86ed5764b..36af65dcf7 100644
--- a/boards/risc-v/qemu-rv/rv-virt/src/qemu_rv_appinit.c
+++ b/boards/risc-v/qemu-rv/rv-virt/src/qemu_rv_appinit.c
@@ -146,6 +146,16 @@ int board_app_initialize(uintptr_t arg)
   qemu_rptun_init();
 #endif
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_USERLED
+  /* Register the LED driver */
+
+  int ret = userled_lower_initialize("/dev/userleds");
+  if (ret < 0)
+    {
+      syslog(LOG_ERR, "ERROR: userled_lower_initialize() failed: %d\n", ret);
+    }
+#endif
+
   return OK;
 #endif
 }