diff --git a/libs/core/codal.cpp b/libs/core/codal.cpp
index a214ab00..a5fafe4e 100644
--- a/libs/core/codal.cpp
+++ b/libs/core/codal.cpp
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ void platform_init() {
 }
 
 void initMicrobitGC() {
+    uBit.init();
     if (device_heap_size(1) > NON_GC_HEAP_RESERVATION + 4)
         gcPreAllocateBlock(device_heap_size(1) - NON_GC_HEAP_RESERVATION);
 }
@@ -43,9 +44,6 @@ struct FreeList {
 };
 
 static void initCodal() {
-
-    uBit.init();
-
     // repeat error 4 times and restart as needed
     microbit_panic_timeout(4);
 }