diff --git a/Shorewall/lib.config b/Shorewall/lib.config
index 2a00737f8..48afbc761 100644
--- a/Shorewall/lib.config
+++ b/Shorewall/lib.config
@@ -2160,7 +2160,9 @@ do_initialize() {
 	strip_file_and_lib_load netmap nat
 	strip_file policy
 	strip_file_and_lib_load providers providers
-	strip_file_and_lib_load route_rules providers
+
+	[ -n "$LIB_providers_LOADED" ] && strip_file route_rules
+
 	strip_file_and_lib_load proxyarp proxyarp
 	strip_file rfc1918
 	strip_file routestopped