diff --git a/ports/atmel-samd/boards/metro_m4_express/board.c b/ports/atmel-samd/boards/metro_m4_express/board.c
index 8096b9b8ea..a98385d295 100644
--- a/ports/atmel-samd/boards/metro_m4_express/board.c
+++ b/ports/atmel-samd/boards/metro_m4_express/board.c
@@ -26,8 +26,16 @@
 
 #include "boards/board.h"
 #include "mpconfigboard.h"
+#include "hal/include/hal_gpio.h"
 
 void board_init(void) {
+    gpio_set_pin_function(MICROPY_HW_LED_TX, GPIO_PIN_FUNCTION_OFF);
+    gpio_set_pin_direction(MICROPY_HW_LED_TX, GPIO_DIRECTION_OUT);
+    gpio_set_pin_level(MICROPY_HW_LED_TX, true);
+
+    gpio_set_pin_function(MICROPY_HW_LED_RX, GPIO_PIN_FUNCTION_OFF);
+    gpio_set_pin_direction(MICROPY_HW_LED_RX, GPIO_DIRECTION_OUT);
+    gpio_set_pin_level(MICROPY_HW_LED_RX, true);
 }
 
 bool board_requests_safe_mode(void) {