diff --git a/apps/plugins/SOURCES b/apps/plugins/SOURCES
index 6fc20b7b32..9dd042ff31 100644
--- a/apps/plugins/SOURCES
+++ b/apps/plugins/SOURCES
@@ -63,6 +63,6 @@ nim.c
 alpine_cdc.c
 #endif
 
-#if SOFTWARECODECS == yes
+#if CONFIG_HWCODEC == MASNONE /* software codec platforms */
 mpa2wav.c
 #endif
diff --git a/apps/plugins/mpa2wav.c b/apps/plugins/mpa2wav.c
index bff7608d98..025cb82dcb 100644
--- a/apps/plugins/mpa2wav.c
+++ b/apps/plugins/mpa2wav.c
@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@
 
 #include "plugin.h"
 
+#if (CONFIG_HWCODEC == MASNONE) && !defined(SIMULATOR)
+/* software codec platforms, not for simulator */
+
 #include <codecs/libmad/mad.h>
 
 typedef struct ao_sample_format {
@@ -478,3 +481,4 @@ enum plugin_status plugin_start(struct plugin_api* api, void* file)
 
   return PLUGIN_OK;
 }
+#endif /* CONFIG_HWCODEC == MASNONE */