diff --git a/include/kernel.mk b/include/kernel.mk
index df859a42b0..5b27d2f459 100644
--- a/include/kernel.mk
+++ b/include/kernel.mk
@@ -51,6 +51,9 @@ endif
 GENERIC_PLATFORM_DIR := $(TOPDIR)/target/linux/generic-$(KERNEL)
 GENERIC_PATCH_DIR := $(GENERIC_PLATFORM_DIR)/patches$(shell [ -d "$(GENERIC_PLATFORM_DIR)/patches-$(KERNEL_PATCHVER)" ] && printf -- "-$(KERNEL_PATCHVER)" || true )
 
+ifeq ($(DUMP),)
+  -include $(LINUX_DIR)/.config
+endif
 
 define KernelPackage/Defaults
   FILES:=
diff --git a/package/kernel/Makefile b/package/kernel/Makefile
index 3ec07d43ac..b805c6e19d 100644
--- a/package/kernel/Makefile
+++ b/package/kernel/Makefile
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ SCAN_DEPS=modules/*.mk
 
 include $(INCLUDE_DIR)/package.mk
 ifeq ($(DUMP),)
-  -include $(LINUX_DIR)/.config
   NF_KMOD:=1
   include $(INCLUDE_DIR)/netfilter.mk
 endif