diff --git a/core/Makefile b/core/Makefile
index de4a268f84..7116254fed 100644
--- a/core/Makefile
+++ b/core/Makefile
@@ -1241,6 +1241,12 @@ vendorimage-nodeps: | $(INTERNAL_USERIMAGES_DEPS)
 
 endif # BOARD_VENDORIMAGE_FILE_SYSTEM_TYPE
 
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------
+# bring in the installer image generation defines if necessary
+ifeq ($(TARGET_USE_DISKINSTALLER),true)
+include bootable/diskinstaller/config.mk
+endif
+
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------
 # host tools needed to build dist and OTA packages