diff --git a/target/linux/uml/base-files/etc/inittab b/target/linux/uml/base-files/etc/inittab
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..bd69b8d355e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/target/linux/uml/base-files/etc/inittab
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+::sysinit:/etc/init.d/rcS S boot
+::shutdown:/etc/init.d/rcS K shutdown
+::askconsole:/bin/ash --login
+::respawn:/sbin/askfirst /dev/console /bin/ash --login