diff --git a/packages/sodium/src/browser.ts b/packages/sodium/src/browser.ts
index 07db6267c..78bbe1099 100644
--- a/packages/sodium/src/browser.ts
+++ b/packages/sodium/src/browser.ts
@@ -19,8 +19,18 @@ along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
 import sodium from "libsodium-wrappers-sumo";
 
-export function initialize() {
-  return sodium.ready;
+if (process.env.NODE_ENV === "development") {
+  // this is necessary in development otherwise all the exported functions
+  // are undefined. Since vite supports direct top-level awaits in development
+  // we forcefully ignore typescript.
+
+  // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/ban-ts-comment
+  // @ts-ignore
+  await sodium.ready;
+}
+
+export async function initialize() {
+  await sodium.ready;
 }
 
 export {
diff --git a/packages/sodium/src/node.ts b/packages/sodium/src/node.ts
index b42375419..42ea06f0b 100644
--- a/packages/sodium/src/node.ts
+++ b/packages/sodium/src/node.ts
@@ -54,10 +54,7 @@ export interface StringMessageTag {
   tag: number;
 }
 
-export function initialize() {
-  console.log("Calling node.js API.");
-  return Promise.resolve();
-}
+export async function initialize() {}
 
 export function crypto_pwhash(
   keyLength: number,