diff --git a/soc/nordic/nrf53/Kconfig b/soc/nordic/nrf53/Kconfig
index 1a747bec9ea..773494ac27f 100644
--- a/soc/nordic/nrf53/Kconfig
+++ b/soc/nordic/nrf53/Kconfig
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ config SOC_NRF53_CPUNET_MGMT
 
 config SOC_NRF53_CPUNET_ENABLE
 	bool "NRF53 Network MCU is enabled at boot time"
-	default y if NRF_802154_SER_HOST
+	default y if NRF_802154_SER_HOST || BT
 	select SOC_NRF53_CPUNET_MGMT
 	help
 	  This option enables releasing the Network 'force off' signal, which
diff --git a/soc/nordic/nrf54h/Kconfig b/soc/nordic/nrf54h/Kconfig
index f9ed41ee321..ca17b8b3278 100644
--- a/soc/nordic/nrf54h/Kconfig
+++ b/soc/nordic/nrf54h/Kconfig
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ config SOC_NRF54H20_TDD_ENABLE
 
 config SOC_NRF54H20_CPURAD_ENABLE
 	bool "Boot the nRF54H20 Radio core"
-	default y if NRF_802154_SER_HOST
+	default y if NRF_802154_SER_HOST || BT
 	depends on SOC_NRF54H20_CPUAPP
 	select NRF_IRONSIDE_CPUCONF_SERVICE
 	select SOC_LATE_INIT_HOOK