diff --git a/application.c b/application.c
index c110a0a..c842a7d 100644
--- a/application.c
+++ b/application.c
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@
 #include "terminal.h" // handle the terminal interface
 #include "menu.h" // menu utilities
 #include "font.h" // to draw text
+#include "led_ws2812b.h" // control WS2812b LEDs
 
 /** watchdog period in ms */
 #define WATCHDOG_PERIOD 10000
@@ -934,6 +935,13 @@ void main(void)
 	nvic_enable_irq(GPIO_NVIC_EXTI_IRQ(DIAL_SWITCH_PIN)); // enable interrupt
 	puts_debug("OK\n");
 
+	puts_debug("setup WS2812b LED matrix: ");
+	led_ws2812b_setup(); // configure peripheral for communication with WS2812b LEDs
+	led_ws2812b_set_rgb(0, 0xff, 0, 0); // set test color
+	led_ws2812b_set_rgb(1, 0, 0xff, 0); // set test color
+	led_ws2812b_set_rgb(2, 0, 0, 0xff); // set test color
+	puts_debug("OK\n");
+
 	puts_debug("setup RGB matrix: ");
 	// configure pin for output enable
 	rcc_periph_clock_enable(GPIO_RCC(RGBMATRIX_OE_PIN)); // enable clock for GPIO port peripheral