diff --git a/drivers/modem/altair/Kconfig b/drivers/modem/altair/Kconfig
index 9f1533136ff..17e962ddb88 100644
--- a/drivers/modem/altair/Kconfig
+++ b/drivers/modem/altair/Kconfig
@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@
 
 menuconfig MODEM_ALTMDM
 	bool "Altair modem support"
-	default y
+	default n
+	depends on SPI_EXCHANGE
 	---help---
 		Enable driver for the Altair modem.