diff --git a/include/kernel-defaults.mk b/include/kernel-defaults.mk
index 88f1c3675..40316e000 100644
--- a/include/kernel-defaults.mk
+++ b/include/kernel-defaults.mk
@@ -5,12 +5,22 @@
 # See /LICENSE for more information.
 #
 
-# For target profile selection - the default set
-DEFAULT_PACKAGES:=base-files libgcc uclibc bridge busybox dnsmasq dropbear iptables mtd ppp ppp-mod-pppoe mtd kmod-ipt-nathelper
+# default device type
+DEVICE_TYPE?=router
+
+# Default packages - the really basic set
+DEFAULT_PACKAGES:=base-files libgcc uclibc busybox dropbear mtd mtd
+# For router targets
+DEFAULT_PACKAGES.router:=dnsmasq iptables ppp ppp-mod-pppoe iptables kmod-ipt-nathelper bridge
+
+# Additional packages for Linux 2.6
 ifneq ($(KERNEL),2.4)
-  DEFAULT_PACKAGES+=udevtrigger hotplug2
+  DEFAULT_PACKAGES += udevtrigger hotplug2
 endif
 
+# Add device specific packages
+DEFAULT_PACKAGES += $(DEFAULT_PACKAGES.$(DEVICE_TYPE))
+
 KERNELNAME=
 ifneq (,$(findstring x86,$(BOARD)))
   KERNELNAME="bzImage"