diff --git a/python/__init__.py b/python/__init__.py
index dc4e5b1420d6e98..e8525a1764e9a65 100644
--- a/python/__init__.py
+++ b/python/__init__.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 import time
 import traceback
 import subprocess
+import sys
 from .dfu import PandaDFU
 from .esptool import ESPROM, CesantaFlasher  # noqa: F401
 from .flash_release import flash_release  # noqa: F401
@@ -187,7 +188,8 @@ def connect(self, claim=True, wait=False):
                 self.bootstub = device.getProductID() == 0xddee
                 self.legacy = (device.getbcdDevice() != 0x2300)
                 self._handle = device.open()
-                self._handle.setAutoDetachKernelDriver(True)
+                if not sys.platform in ["win32", "cygwin", "msys"]:
+                  self._handle.setAutoDetachKernelDriver(True)
                 if claim:
                   self._handle.claimInterface(0)
                   #self._handle.setInterfaceAltSetting(0, 0) #Issue in USB stack