diff --git a/selfdrive/boardd/boardd.cc b/selfdrive/boardd/boardd.cc
index fdce7bab5f..1154318428 100644
--- a/selfdrive/boardd/boardd.cc
+++ b/selfdrive/boardd/boardd.cc
@@ -115,11 +115,15 @@ bool safety_setter_thread(std::vector<Panda *> pandas) {
     return false;
   }
 
+  // set to ELM327 for fingerprinting
   pandas[0]->set_safety_model(cereal::CarParams::SafetyModel::ELM327);
+  for (int i = 1; i < pandas.size(); i++) {
+    pandas[i]->set_safety_model(cereal::CarParams::SafetyModel::SILENT);
+  }
 
   Params p = Params();
 
-  // switch to SILENT when CarVin param is read
+  // wait for VIN to be read
   while (true) {
     if (do_exit || !check_all_connected(pandas) || !ignition) {
       return false;
@@ -135,6 +139,7 @@ bool safety_setter_thread(std::vector<Panda *> pandas) {
     util::sleep_for(20);
   }
 
+  // set to ELM327 for ECU knockouts
   pandas[0]->set_safety_model(cereal::CarParams::SafetyModel::ELM327, 1U);
 
   std::string params;