diff --git a/target/linux/malta/config-5.4 b/target/linux/malta/config-5.4
index 41fc977043..37d3dbef9a 100644
--- a/target/linux/malta/config-5.4
+++ b/target/linux/malta/config-5.4
@@ -341,4 +341,5 @@ CONFIG_VT=y
 CONFIG_VT_CONSOLE=y
 CONFIG_VT_HW_CONSOLE_BINDING=y
 CONFIG_VXFS_FS=y
+CONFIG_WATCHDOG_CORE=y
 CONFIG_XPS=y