diff --git a/configs/qemu_ppc_mpc8544ds_defconfig b/configs/qemu_ppc_mpc8544ds_defconfig
index d6ebef7561..98985b7b76 100644
--- a/configs/qemu_ppc_mpc8544ds_defconfig
+++ b/configs/qemu_ppc_mpc8544ds_defconfig
@@ -23,3 +23,6 @@ BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_VMLINUX=y
 # Serial port config
 BR2_TARGET_GENERIC_GETTY=y
 BR2_TARGET_GENERIC_GETTY_PORT="ttyS0"
+
+# Kernel needs mkimage
+BR2_PACKAGE_HOST_UBOOT_TOOLS=y