diff --git a/meta/conf/distro/include/init-manager-systemd.inc b/meta/conf/distro/include/init-manager-systemd.inc
index 63fd225ca5..9460be51af 100644
--- a/meta/conf/distro/include/init-manager-systemd.inc
+++ b/meta/conf/distro/include/init-manager-systemd.inc
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 # Use systemd for system initialization
 DISTRO_FEATURES:append = " systemd usrmerge"
+DISTRO_FEATURES_DEFAULTS:append = " pam"
 VIRTUAL-RUNTIME_init_manager ??= "systemd"
 VIRTUAL-RUNTIME_initscripts ??= ""
 VIRTUAL-RUNTIME_login_manager ??= "shadow-base"