Aspects of a method and system for allowing no code download in a code download scheme are provided. A system-on-a-chip (SoC) may comprise a security processor, a ROM, and a one-time-programmable (OTP) memory. The security processor may enable fetching code from a restricted function portion of the ROM. The restricted functions may comprise code for booting up the SoC and code that prevents enabling security algorithms within the SoC. The security processor may then enable booting up of at least a portion of the SoC based on the fetched code. The remaining portion of the ROM may comprise code for downloading security code from an external memory, such as a FLASH memory, to an internal memory, such as a RAM, to boot up the SoC. Access to the restricted function portion or the remaining portion of the ROM is based on at least one bit from the OTP memory.