diff --git a/test/cpp/microbenchmarks/helpers.h b/test/cpp/microbenchmarks/helpers.h
index 2829a46e5a5..f44b7cf83a7 100644
--- a/test/cpp/microbenchmarks/helpers.h
+++ b/test/cpp/microbenchmarks/helpers.h
@@ -55,7 +55,9 @@ class Library {
 
  private:
   Library() {
+#ifdef GPR_LOW_LEVEL_COUNTERS
     grpc_memory_counters_init();
+#endif
     init_lib_.init();
     rq_ = grpc_resource_quota_create("bm");
   }