diff --git a/configs/avenger96_defconfig b/configs/avenger96_defconfig
index 6fea029bf8..d2c1b9013e 100644
--- a/configs/avenger96_defconfig
+++ b/configs/avenger96_defconfig
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_DEFCONFIG="multi_v7"
 BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_DTS_SUPPORT=y
 BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_INTREE_DTS_NAME="stm32mp157a-dhcor-avenger96"
 BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_INSTALL_TARGET=y
+BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_NEEDS_HOST_OPENSSL=y
 BR2_TARGET_ROOTFS_EXT2=y
 BR2_TARGET_ROOTFS_EXT2_4=y
 BR2_TARGET_ROOTFS_EXT2_SIZE="120M"