diff --git a/package/fail2ban/Config.in b/package/fail2ban/Config.in
index 39e996fdb6..86e6233793 100644
--- a/package/fail2ban/Config.in
+++ b/package/fail2ban/Config.in
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 config BR2_PACKAGE_FAIL2BAN
 	bool "fail2ban"
 	depends on BR2_PACKAGE_PYTHON || BR2_PACKAGE_PYTHON3
+	select BR2_PACKAGE_PYTHON_SYSTEMD if BR2_PACKAGE_SYSTEMD
 	help
 	  Fail2ban scans log files (e.g. /var/log/apache/error_log) and
 	  bans IPs that show the malicious signs -- too many password