diff --git a/src/kernel/core/main.c b/src/kernel/core/main.c
index a56f004383..b51ea4c0db 100644
--- a/src/kernel/core/main.c
+++ b/src/kernel/core/main.c
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@
 #include <real_time_clock.h>
 #include <kernel_daemon.h>
 #include <messaging.h>
+#include <user_debugger.h>
 
 #include <string.h>
 
@@ -193,6 +194,10 @@ main2(void *unused)
 		vm_free_kernel_args(&ka);
 	}
 
+	// init userland debugging
+	TRACE(("Init Userland debugging\n"));
+	init_user_debug();
+
 	// init the messaging service
 	TRACE(("Init Messaging Service\n"));
 	init_messaging_service();