diff --git a/ophyd/_pyepics_shim.py b/ophyd/_pyepics_shim.py
index 118ee20d8..289abd128 100644
--- a/ophyd/_pyepics_shim.py
+++ b/ophyd/_pyepics_shim.py
@@ -7,6 +7,10 @@
 
 from ._dispatch import EventDispatcher, _CallbackThread, wrap_callback
 
+# suspect attempt to monkey-patch printf is causing segfaults
+if hasattr(ca, 'WITH_CA_MESSAGES'):
+    ca.WITH_CA_MESSAGES = True
+
 _min_pyepics = "3.4.2"
 
 if parse(epics.__version__) < parse(_min_pyepics):