diff --git a/openpower/configs/romulus_defconfig b/openpower/configs/romulus_defconfig
index 7bba1ef..7542fc6 100644
--- a/openpower/configs/romulus_defconfig
+++ b/openpower/configs/romulus_defconfig
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_CUSTOM_CONFIG_FILE="$(BR2_EXTERNAL_OP_BUILD_PATH)/configs/linux/skiroot_defconfig"
 BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_ZIMAGE_EPAPR=y
 BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_XZ=y
+BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_NEEDS_HOST_OPENSSL=y
 BR2_PACKAGE_BUSYBOX_CONFIG_FRAGMENT_FILES="$(BR2_EXTERNAL_OP_BUILD_PATH)/configs/busybox.fragment"
 BR2_PACKAGE_BUSYBOX_SHOW_OTHERS=y
 BR2_PACKAGE_LINUX_FIRMWARE=y