diff --git a/target/linux/malta/base-files/etc/inittab b/target/linux/malta/base-files/etc/inittab
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..88567b245
--- /dev/null
+++ b/target/linux/malta/base-files/etc/inittab
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+::sysinit:/etc/init.d/rcS S boot
+::shutdown:/etc/init.d/rcS K shutdown
+tts/0::askfirst:/bin/ash --login
+ttyS0::askfirst:/bin/ash --login
+ttyS1::askfirst:/bin/ash --login
+ttyS2::askfirst:/bin/ash --login
+tty1::askfirst:/bin/ash --login