diff --git a/Makefile.dep b/Makefile.dep
index 814af322487e579924555207bdbb6cc235919b80..e3dd80b070329b46f9d2b1976f9e982958905e64 100644
--- a/Makefile.dep
+++ b/Makefile.dep
@@ -698,6 +698,9 @@ endif
 # always select gpio (until explicit dependencies are sorted out)
 FEATURES_OPTIONAL += periph_gpio
 
+# always select power management if available
+FEATURES_OPTIONAL += periph_pm
+
 # include package dependencies
 -include $(USEPKG:%=$(RIOTPKG)/%/Makefile.dep)