diff --git a/lirc.init b/lirc.init
index a397f8b..c50842b 100755
--- a/lirc.init
+++ b/lirc.init
@@ -79,11 +79,13 @@ start() {
     # we disable the in-kernel decoding when lircd is started up
     # successfully
     if [ $retval -eq 0 ]; then
-        rcs=$(find -L /sys/class/rc/ -maxdepth 2 -name protocols 2> /dev/null)
-        for rc in $rcs
-        do
-            echo lirc > ${rc}
-        done
+        if [ $(echo "$LIRC_DEVICE" | grep -c /dev/lirc) -ge 1 ]; then
+            rcs=$(find -L /sys/class/rc/ -maxdepth 2 -name protocols 2> /dev/null)
+            for rc in $rcs
+            do
+                echo lirc > ${rc}
+            done
+        fi
     fi
 
     return $retval