diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py
index 33b684fbd8..4c13d32b47 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py
@@ -1324,7 +1324,7 @@ def catch_parse_error(func):
     return wrapped
 
 @catch_parse_error
-def _parse(fn, data, include=False):
+def _parse(fn, data, include=True):
     return bb.parse.handle(fn, data, include)
 
 @catch_parse_error