diff --git a/package/linux-headers/Config.in.host b/package/linux-headers/Config.in.host
index 067c3b96aa..eac93ce1ce 100644
--- a/package/linux-headers/Config.in.host
+++ b/package/linux-headers/Config.in.host
@@ -113,6 +113,7 @@ endif
 
 choice
 	bool "Custom kernel headers series"
+	default BR2_PACKAGE_HOST_LINUX_HEADERS_CUSTOM_REALLY_OLD
 	depends on !BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_LATEST_VERSION || !BR2_KERNEL_HEADERS_AS_KERNEL
 	depends on !BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_LATEST_CIP_VERSION || !BR2_KERNEL_HEADERS_AS_KERNEL
 	depends on !BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_LATEST_CIP_RT_VERSION || !BR2_KERNEL_HEADERS_AS_KERNEL