diff --git a/target/linux/mpc85xx/base-files/lib/preinit/05_set_preinit_iface_mpc85xx b/target/linux/mpc85xx/base-files/lib/preinit/05_set_preinit_iface_mpc85xx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..22d7471dda
--- /dev/null
+++ b/target/linux/mpc85xx/base-files/lib/preinit/05_set_preinit_iface_mpc85xx
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+#
+# Copyright (C) 2013 OpenWrt.org
+#
+
+. /lib/mpc85xx.sh
+
+mpc85xx_set_preinit_iface() {
+	ifname=eth0
+}
+
+boot_hook_add preinit_main mpc85xx_set_preinit_iface