diff --git a/samples/net/mqtt_publisher/prj.conf b/samples/net/mqtt_publisher/prj.conf
index ce243d9a74e..83df9c8b9dc 100644
--- a/samples/net/mqtt_publisher/prj.conf
+++ b/samples/net/mqtt_publisher/prj.conf
@@ -29,3 +29,5 @@ CONFIG_MAIN_STACK_SIZE=2048
 
 # For IPv6
 CONFIG_NET_BUF_DATA_SIZE=256
+
+CONFIG_NET_SHELL=y