diff --git a/net/ieee80211/softmac/Kconfig b/net/ieee80211/softmac/Kconfig
index 6cd9f3427be6..f2a27cc6ecb1 100644
--- a/net/ieee80211/softmac/Kconfig
+++ b/net/ieee80211/softmac/Kconfig
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 config IEEE80211_SOFTMAC
 	tristate "Software MAC add-on to the IEEE 802.11 networking stack"
 	depends on IEEE80211 && EXPERIMENTAL
+	select WIRELESS_EXT
 	---help---
 	This option enables the hardware independent software MAC addon
 	for the IEEE 802.11 networking stack.