In this work, electroless nickel has been deposited onto steel substrates by a selfcatalytic process, which involves temperature and time to create a Ni-P layer with a uniform thickness. The major drawback of electroless nickel is the interdiffusion post heat treatment (PHT) that is necessary to create a metallurgical bond between the steel substrate and the Ni-P deposit. The PHT results in softening of the steel. The aim of this ongoing research is to investigate the effect of introducing a nitrided layer prior to deposition of Ni-P layer, as an attempt to lessen the softening of the steel. To this end, Ni-P coatings were obtained over nitrided and non-nitrided steel substrates. The PHT was done at 400°C or 610°C. The nitrided layer, indeed, avoided the softening of the steel substrate. In addition, the nitrided layer improves the adhesion of the Ni-P coating even when the PHT was done at 400°C.