diff --git a/target/linux/x86-2.6/image/Makefile b/target/linux/x86-2.6/image/Makefile
index c5a2163256..7c98ea8e4c 100644
--- a/target/linux/x86-2.6/image/Makefile
+++ b/target/linux/x86-2.6/image/Makefile
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ ifeq ($(CONFIG_X86_GRUB_IMAGES),y)
   endef
 
   define Image/cmdline/ext2
-    root=$(ROOTPART) rootfstype=ext2
+    root=$(ROOTPART) rootfstype=ext2 init=/etc/preinit
   endef
   
   define Image/Build/grub