diff --git a/conf/machine/sysmocom-odu.conf b/conf/machine/sysmocom-odu.conf
index 02bf39c..08a530e 100644
--- a/conf/machine/sysmocom-odu.conf
+++ b/conf/machine/sysmocom-odu.conf
@@ -34,3 +34,7 @@ PREFERRED_PROVIDER_virtual/kernel = "linux-sysmocom"
 KERNEL_IMAGETYPE = "uImage"
 
 PREFERRED_PROVIDER_virtual/bootloader = "barebox-sysmocom"
+
+MACHINE_ESSENTIAL_EXTRA_RDEPENDS = "\
+	kernel \
+"