diff --git a/src/drivers/rgbled/rgbled.cpp b/src/drivers/rgbled/rgbled.cpp
index d49211b7b8..727c86e02a 100644
--- a/src/drivers/rgbled/rgbled.cpp
+++ b/src/drivers/rgbled/rgbled.cpp
@@ -616,6 +616,9 @@ rgbled_main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
 			if (g_rgbled == nullptr) {
 				// fall back to default bus
+				if (PX4_I2C_BUS_LED == PX4_I2C_BUS_EXPANSION) {
+					errx(1, "init failed");
+				}
 				i2cdevice = PX4_I2C_BUS_LED;
 			}
 		}