diff --git a/configs/qemu_nios2_10m50_defconfig b/configs/qemu_nios2_10m50_defconfig
index d7e7c335a3..c07abc3715 100644
--- a/configs/qemu_nios2_10m50_defconfig
+++ b/configs/qemu_nios2_10m50_defconfig
@@ -8,3 +8,6 @@ BR2_TARGET_ROOTFS_INITRAMFS=y
 
 # Linux headers same as kernel, a 4.19 series
 BR2_PACKAGE_HOST_LINUX_HEADERS_CUSTOM_4_19=y
+
+# Kernel needs mkimage
+BR2_PACKAGE_HOST_UBOOT_TOOLS=y