diff --git a/arch/arm/soc/atmel_sam/Kconfig.defconfig b/arch/arm/soc/atmel_sam/Kconfig.defconfig
index a19c462a2cb..bdddffc4387 100644
--- a/arch/arm/soc/atmel_sam/Kconfig.defconfig
+++ b/arch/arm/soc/atmel_sam/Kconfig.defconfig
@@ -9,9 +9,15 @@ config SOC_FAMILY_SAM
 	# omit prompt to signify a "hidden" option
 	default n
 
+if SOC_FAMILY_SAM
+
 config SOC_FAMILY
 	string
 	default atmel_sam
-	depends on SOC_FAMILY_SAM
+
+config WATCHDOG
+	def_bool y
+
+endif #SOC_FAMILY_SAM
 
 source "arch/arm/soc/atmel_sam/*/Kconfig.defconfig.series"