diff --git a/drivers/power/supply/regulator.c b/drivers/power/supply/regulator.c
index be63437b5a..4263477b16 100644
--- a/drivers/power/supply/regulator.c
+++ b/drivers/power/supply/regulator.c
@@ -1043,6 +1043,11 @@ regulator_register(FAR const struct regulator_desc_s *regulator_desc,
   list_initialize(&rdev->consumer_list);
   list_initialize(&rdev->list);
 
+  if (rdev->desc->bypass_on)
+    {
+      goto bypass;
+    }
+
   if (rdev->desc->boot_on || rdev->desc->always_on)
     {
       ret = _regulator_do_enable(rdev);
@@ -1060,6 +1065,7 @@ regulator_register(FAR const struct regulator_desc_s *regulator_desc,
       _regulator_do_disable(rdev);
     }
 
+bypass:
   if (rdev->desc->apply_uv)
     {
       _regulator_do_set_voltage(rdev, rdev->desc->min_uv,
diff --git a/include/nuttx/power/regulator.h b/include/nuttx/power/regulator.h
index bc9a8e86b8..6251092d58 100644
--- a/include/nuttx/power/regulator.h
+++ b/include/nuttx/power/regulator.h
@@ -123,7 +123,10 @@ struct regulator_desc_s
   unsigned int   boot_on;           /* true if this regulator is to be enabled
                                      * at power up/reset
                                      */
-  unsigned int   always_on;
+  unsigned int   always_on;         /* true if this regulator is always on */
+  unsigned int   bypass_on;         /* true if this regulator should be ignored
+                                     * during initialization
+                                     */
   FAR const char *supply_name;
 #ifdef CONFIG_PM
   unsigned int auto_lp;