diff --git a/configs/qemu_xtensa_lx60_defconfig b/configs/qemu_xtensa_lx60_defconfig
index 6bf48a2ada..4287e6abeb 100644
--- a/configs/qemu_xtensa_lx60_defconfig
+++ b/configs/qemu_xtensa_lx60_defconfig
@@ -23,3 +23,6 @@ BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_CUSTOM_CONFIG_FILE="board/qemu/xtensa-lx60/linux.config"
 BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_IMAGE_TARGET_CUSTOM=y
 BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_IMAGE_NAME="Image.elf"
 BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_IMAGE_TARGET_NAME="Image"
+
+# Kernel needs mkimage
+BR2_PACKAGE_HOST_UBOOT_TOOLS=y
diff --git a/configs/qemu_xtensa_lx60_nommu_defconfig b/configs/qemu_xtensa_lx60_nommu_defconfig
index 5ff9646270..37b6743588 100644
--- a/configs/qemu_xtensa_lx60_nommu_defconfig
+++ b/configs/qemu_xtensa_lx60_nommu_defconfig
@@ -27,3 +27,6 @@ BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_CUSTOM_CONFIG_FILE="board/qemu/xtensa-lx60/linux-nommu.config"
 BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_IMAGE_TARGET_CUSTOM=y
 BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_IMAGE_NAME="Image.elf"
 BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_IMAGE_TARGET_NAME="Image"
+
+# Kernel needs mkimage
+BR2_PACKAGE_HOST_UBOOT_TOOLS=y