diff --git a/default-configs/arm-softmmu.mak b/default-configs/arm-softmmu.mak
index 87d4e34d15..a767e4b708 100644
--- a/default-configs/arm-softmmu.mak
+++ b/default-configs/arm-softmmu.mak
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ CONFIG_DS1338=y
 CONFIG_PFLASH_CFI01=y
 CONFIG_PFLASH_CFI02=y
 CONFIG_MICRODRIVE=y
+CONFIG_USB=y
 CONFIG_USB_MUSB=y
 CONFIG_USB_EHCI_SYSBUS=y
 CONFIG_PLATFORM_BUS=y
diff --git a/default-configs/usb.mak b/default-configs/usb.mak
index 73d84895aa..f4b85684f0 100644
--- a/default-configs/usb.mak
+++ b/default-configs/usb.mak
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+CONFIG_USB=y
 CONFIG_USB_TABLET_WACOM=y
 CONFIG_USB_STORAGE_BOT=y
 CONFIG_USB_STORAGE_UAS=y
diff --git a/hw/usb/Makefile.objs b/hw/usb/Makefile.objs
index 0ccd477577..7443e386b3 100644
--- a/hw/usb/Makefile.objs
+++ b/hw/usb/Makefile.objs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # usb subsystem core
-common-obj-y += core.o combined-packet.o bus.o desc.o desc-msos.o
-common-obj-y += libhw.o
+common-obj-y += core.o combined-packet.o bus.o libhw.o
+common-obj-$(CONFIG_USB) += desc.o desc-msos.o
 
 # usb host adapters
 common-obj-$(CONFIG_USB_UHCI) += hcd-uhci.o
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@ common-obj-$(CONFIG_USB_XHCI) += hcd-xhci.o
 common-obj-$(CONFIG_USB_MUSB) += hcd-musb.o
 
 # emulated usb devices
-common-obj-y += dev-hub.o
-common-obj-y += dev-hid.o
+common-obj-$(CONFIG_USB) += dev-hub.o
+common-obj-$(CONFIG_USB) += dev-hid.o
 common-obj-$(CONFIG_USB_TABLET_WACOM) += dev-wacom.o
 common-obj-$(CONFIG_USB_STORAGE_BOT)  += dev-storage.o
 common-obj-$(CONFIG_USB_STORAGE_UAS)  += dev-uas.o