diff --git a/sched/task/task_init.c b/sched/task/task_init.c
index a777c44b6a..fed1356717 100644
--- a/sched/task/task_init.c
+++ b/sched/task/task_init.c
@@ -105,7 +105,15 @@ int nxtask_init(FAR struct task_tcb_s *tcb, const char *name, int priority,
 
   /* Associate file descriptors with the new task */
 
-  ret = group_setuptaskfiles(tcb);
+  if (ttype == TCB_FLAG_TTYPE_KERNEL)
+    {
+      ret = group_setupidlefiles(tcb);
+    }
+  else
+    {
+      ret = group_setuptaskfiles(tcb);
+    }
+
   if (ret < 0)
     {
       goto errout_with_group;