diff --git a/target/linux/mpc85xx/Makefile b/target/linux/mpc85xx/Makefile
index c84c0e29115..feaa3bc7317 100644
--- a/target/linux/mpc85xx/Makefile
+++ b/target/linux/mpc85xx/Makefile
@@ -17,7 +17,9 @@ LINUX_VERSION:=3.7.8
 
 include $(INCLUDE_DIR)/target.mk
 
-DEFAULT_PACKAGES += kmod-booke-wdt
+DEFAULT_PACKAGES += \
+	kmod-input-core kmod-input-gpio-keys kmod-button-hotplug \
+	kmod-booke-wdt
 
 define Target/Description
 	Build images for the Freescale MPC85xx based boards.
diff --git a/target/linux/mpc85xx/base-files/lib/preinit/05_mpc85xx_load_input_drivers b/target/linux/mpc85xx/base-files/lib/preinit/05_mpc85xx_load_input_drivers
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..ef1cce3608c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/target/linux/mpc85xx/base-files/lib/preinit/05_mpc85xx_load_input_drivers
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+#
+# Copyright (C) 2013 OpenWrt.org
+#
+
+preinit_mpc85xx_load_input_drivers() {
+	insmod input-core
+	insmod gpio_keys
+	insmod button-hotplug
+}
+
+boot_hook_add preinit_main preinit_mpc85xx_load_input_drivers