diff --git a/configs/riotboard_defconfig b/configs/riotboard_defconfig
index 04d52eb4fa..3efcd8859d 100644
--- a/configs/riotboard_defconfig
+++ b/configs/riotboard_defconfig
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_DEFCONFIG="imx_v6_v7"
 BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_DTS_SUPPORT=y
 BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_INTREE_DTS_NAME="imx6dl-riotboard"
 BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_INSTALL_TARGET=y
+BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_NEEDS_HOST_OPENSSL=y
 
 # required tools to create the SD card image
 BR2_PACKAGE_HOST_DOSFSTOOLS=y