diff --git a/conf/machine/cubieboard.conf b/conf/machine/cubieboard.conf
index feebf2a..f870918 100644
--- a/conf/machine/cubieboard.conf
+++ b/conf/machine/cubieboard.conf
@@ -17,6 +17,10 @@ SERIAL_CONSOLE = "115200 ttyS0"
 
 MACHINE_EXTRA_RRECOMMENDS = "\
  kernel-module-sw-ahci-platform \
+ kernel-module-sunxi-emac \
 "
 
+#autoload ethernet module at boot
+module_autoload_sunxi_emac = "sunxi_emac"
+
 MACHINE_FEATURES = "kernel26 screen apm usbgadget usbhost vfat alsa"