diff --git a/plugins/novatel/mm-broadband-modem-novatel.c b/plugins/novatel/mm-broadband-modem-novatel.c
index eb2734c6..6a374b8f 100644
--- a/plugins/novatel/mm-broadband-modem-novatel.c
+++ b/plugins/novatel/mm-broadband-modem-novatel.c
@@ -335,6 +335,10 @@ mm_broadband_modem_novatel_new (const gchar *device,
                          MM_BASE_MODEM_PLUGIN, plugin,
                          MM_BASE_MODEM_VENDOR_ID, vendor_id,
                          MM_BASE_MODEM_PRODUCT_ID, product_id,
+                         /* Use SM storage always */
+                         MM_IFACE_MODEM_MESSAGING_SMS_MEM1_STORAGE, MM_SMS_STORAGE_SM,
+                         MM_IFACE_MODEM_MESSAGING_SMS_MEM2_STORAGE, MM_SMS_STORAGE_SM,
+                         MM_IFACE_MODEM_MESSAGING_SMS_MEM3_STORAGE, MM_SMS_STORAGE_SM,
                          NULL);
 }