diff --git a/Makefile.dep b/Makefile.dep
index 302f028543c2bff14bc13d270eca6d8e6f220f4b..814af322487e579924555207bdbb6cc235919b80 100644
--- a/Makefile.dep
+++ b/Makefile.dep
@@ -695,6 +695,9 @@ USEPKG += nanocoap
 USEMODULE += gnrc_sock_udp
 endif
 
+# always select gpio (until explicit dependencies are sorted out)
+FEATURES_OPTIONAL += periph_gpio
+
 # include package dependencies
 -include $(USEPKG:%=$(RIOTPKG)/%/Makefile.dep)