diff --git a/tethereal.c b/tethereal.c
index 22495ff100..1269c1f894 100644
--- a/tethereal.c
+++ b/tethereal.c
@@ -678,7 +678,9 @@ main(int argc, char *argv[])
   /* we register the plugin taps before the other taps because
 	  stats_tree taps plugins will be registered as tap listeners
 	  by stats_tree_stat.c and need to registered before that */
+#ifdef HAVE_PLUGINS
   register_all_plugin_tap_listeners();
+#endif
   register_all_tap_listeners();
 
   /* Now register the preferences for any non-dissector modules.