diff --git a/drivers/watchdog/Kconfig b/drivers/watchdog/Kconfig
index 242eea859637..fa325b49672e 100644
--- a/drivers/watchdog/Kconfig
+++ b/drivers/watchdog/Kconfig
@@ -2028,6 +2028,7 @@ comment "Watchdog Pretimeout Governors"
 
 config WATCHDOG_PRETIMEOUT_GOV
 	bool "Enable watchdog pretimeout governors"
+	depends on WATCHDOG_CORE
 	help
 	  The option allows to select watchdog pretimeout governors.