diff --git a/soc/arm/nxp_kinetis/Kconfig b/soc/arm/nxp_kinetis/Kconfig
index 8c0c13df74e..0c6a2b50b63 100644
--- a/soc/arm/nxp_kinetis/Kconfig
+++ b/soc/arm/nxp_kinetis/Kconfig
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ endif # KINETIS_FLASH_CONFIG
 
 config WDOG_INIT
 	bool
-	default y
+	default !BOOTLOADER_MCUBOOT
 	help
 	  This processor enables the watchdog timer with a short
 	  window for configuration upon reset. Therefore, this