diff --git a/target/linux/ar71xx/modules.mk b/target/linux/ar71xx/modules.mk
index c72b6148e6..601f473869 100644
--- a/target/linux/ar71xx/modules.mk
+++ b/target/linux/ar71xx/modules.mk
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ define KernelPackage/wdt-ath79
   DEPENDS:=@TARGET_ar71xx
   KCONFIG:=CONFIG_ATH79_WDT
   FILES:=$(LINUX_DIR)/drivers/$(WATCHDOG_DIR)/ath79_wdt.ko
-  AUTOLOAD:=$(call AutoLoad,50,ath79_wdt)
+  AUTOLOAD:=$(call AutoLoad,50,ath79_wdt,1)
 endef
 
 define KernelPackage/wdt-ath79/description