diff --git a/packages/virtual/network/package.mk b/packages/virtual/network/package.mk
index 554d0c20dc..cc0eaf6a78 100644
--- a/packages/virtual/network/package.mk
+++ b/packages/virtual/network/package.mk
@@ -23,7 +23,15 @@ if [ "$OPENVPN_SUPPORT" = "yes" ]; then
 fi
 
 if [ "$WIREGUARD_SUPPORT" = "yes" ]; then
-  PKG_DEPENDS_TARGET="$PKG_DEPENDS_TARGET wireguard-tools wireguard-linux-compat"
+  # projects using Linux 5.6+ can use the in-kernel module
+  case $PROJECT in
+    Allwinner|Amlogic|Generic|NXP|Qualcomm)
+      PKG_DEPENDS_TARGET="$PKG_DEPENDS_TARGET wireguard-tools"
+      ;;
+    *)
+      PKG_DEPENDS_TARGET="$PKG_DEPENDS_TARGET wireguard-tools wireguard-linux-compat"
+      ;;
+  esac
 fi
 
 # nss needed by inputstream.adaptive, chromium etc.