diff --git a/src/protocols/SSTV/SSTV.cpp b/src/protocols/SSTV/SSTV.cpp
index 8687cc6f..51e8b950 100644
--- a/src/protocols/SSTV/SSTV.cpp
+++ b/src/protocols/SSTV/SSTV.cpp
@@ -192,15 +192,8 @@ int16_t SSTVClient::begin(float base, const SSTVMode_t& mode, float correction)
   // calculate 24-bit frequency
   _base = (base * 1000000.0) / _phy->getFreqStep();
 
-  // set module frequency deviation to 0 if using FSK
-  int16_t state = ERR_NONE;
-  #if !defined(RADIOLIB_EXCLUDE_AFSK)
-  if(_audio == nullptr) {
-    state = _phy->setFrequencyDeviation(0);
-  }
-  #endif
-
-  return(state);
+  // configure for direct mode
+  return(_phy->startDirect());
 }
 
 void SSTVClient::idle() {