diff --git a/lib/internal/process/pre_execution.js b/lib/internal/process/pre_execution.js
index 917ba90a1c8bbb..57091891e7bf89 100644
--- a/lib/internal/process/pre_execution.js
+++ b/lib/internal/process/pre_execution.js
@@ -688,6 +688,8 @@ function initializeCJSLoader() {
 }
 
 function initializeESMLoader(isLoaderWorker) {
+  if (getEmbedderOptions().shouldNotRegisterESMLoader) return;
+
   const { initializeESM } = require('internal/modules/esm/utils');
   initializeESM(isLoaderWorker);