diff --git a/drivers/Makefile b/drivers/Makefile
index 37fd6ce3bd7f..68ba7241e167 100644
--- a/drivers/Makefile
+++ b/drivers/Makefile
@@ -66,6 +66,9 @@ obj-y             += char/
 # iommu/ comes before gpu as gpu are using iommu controllers
 obj-y              += iommu/

+# allow vfio to override device drivers
+obj-$(CONFIG_VFIO)     += vfio/
+
 # gpu/ comes after char for AGP vs DRM startup and after iommu
 obj-y              += gpu/

@@ -96,7 +99,6 @@ obj-$(CONFIG_ATM)     += atm/
 obj-$(CONFIG_FUSION)       += message/
 obj-y              += firewire/
 obj-$(CONFIG_UIO)      += uio/
-obj-$(CONFIG_VFIO)     += vfio/
 obj-y              += cdrom/
 obj-y              += auxdisplay/
 obj-$(CONFIG_PCCARD)       += pcmcia/