diff --git a/target/linux/bcm53xx/Makefile b/target/linux/bcm53xx/Makefile
index a98fd3923d..bd966e22cd 100644
--- a/target/linux/bcm53xx/Makefile
+++ b/target/linux/bcm53xx/Makefile
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ FEATURES:=squashfs nand usb pci pcie gpio
 MAINTAINER:=Hauke Mehrtens <hauke@hauke-m.de>
 CPU_TYPE:=cortex-a9
 
-KERNEL_PATCHVER:=4.4
+KERNEL_PATCHVER:=4.9
 
 define Target/Description
 	Build firmware images for Broadcom based BCM47xx/53xx routers with ARM CPU, *not* MIPS.