diff --git a/arch/arm/boot/dts/overlays/mz61581-overlay.dts b/arch/arm/boot/dts/overlays/mz61581-overlay.dts
index c06fe128825d8..f674a669b6005 100644
--- a/arch/arm/boot/dts/overlays/mz61581-overlay.dts
+++ b/arch/arm/boot/dts/overlays/mz61581-overlay.dts
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@
 	fragment@0 {
 		target = <&spi0>;
 		__overlay__ {
+			/* does not work with spi-bcm2835 using software chip selects */
+			compatible = "brcm,bcm2708-spi";
 			status = "okay";
 
 			spidev@0{