diff --git a/tools/build/onos-package b/tools/build/onos-package
index 5ecb3ab..74d3379 100755
--- a/tools/build/onos-package
+++ b/tools/build/onos-package
@@ -40,6 +40,9 @@
 # Stage all builtin ONOS apps for factory install
 onos-stage-apps $ONOS_STAGE/apps $ONOS_STAGE/$KARAF_DIST/system
 
+# Mark the org.onosproject.drivers app active by default
+touch $ONOS_STAGE/apps/org.onosproject.drivers/active
+
 # Patch-in proper Karaf version into the startup script
 sed "s/\$KARAF_VERSION/$KARAF_VERSION/g" \
     $ONOS_ROOT/tools/package/bin/onos-service > bin/onos-service