diff --git a/conf/distro/include/phosphor-defaults.inc b/conf/distro/include/phosphor-defaults.inc
index e7e4823..b53eb13 100644
--- a/conf/distro/include/phosphor-defaults.inc
+++ b/conf/distro/include/phosphor-defaults.inc
@@ -205,5 +205,11 @@
 # in input.
 PREFERRED_PROVIDER_virtual/obmc-gpio-monitor ?= "phosphor-gpio-monitor"
 
+# The phosphor-watchdog application is data-driven and requires an input.
+# The application then starts a timer in disabled state. User of this timer
+# needs to first enable and then use it. This also provides a way for changing
+# the timeout if needed.
+PREFERRED_PROVIDER_virtual/obmc-watchdog ?= "phosphor-watchdog"
+
 OBMC_DBUS_PATH_ROOT ?= "/xyz/openbmc_project"
 OBMC_DBUS_IFACE_ROOT ?= "xyz.openbmc_project"