diff --git a/config/Config-kernel.in b/config/Config-kernel.in
index 656fce3eb8..db633c15a5 100644
--- a/config/Config-kernel.in
+++ b/config/Config-kernel.in
@@ -96,6 +96,7 @@ config KERNEL_DYNAMIC_DEBUG
 
 config KERNEL_EARLY_PRINTK
 	bool "Compile the kernel with early printk"
+	default y if TARGET_bcm53xx
 	default n
 	depends on arm
 	select KERNEL_DEBUG_KERNEL