diff --git a/api/src/opentrons/hardware_control/module_control.py b/api/src/opentrons/hardware_control/module_control.py
index f7a5e43eb5e0..92ec65c1d32d 100644
--- a/api/src/opentrons/hardware_control/module_control.py
+++ b/api/src/opentrons/hardware_control/module_control.py
@@ -40,10 +40,13 @@ async def build(
     ) -> AttachedModulesControl:
         mc_instance = cls(api_instance, board_revision)
         if not api_instance.is_simulator:
+            # Do an initial scan of modules.
             await mc_instance.register_modules(mc_instance.scan())
-            api_instance.loop.create_task(
-                listen_module_connection(mc_instance.register_modules)
-            )
+            if not IS_ROBOT:
+                # Start task that registers emulated modules.
+                api_instance.loop.create_task(
+                    listen_module_connection(mc_instance.register_modules)
+                )
 
         return mc_instance