diff --git a/tests/lua_loader/Makefile b/tests/lua_loader/Makefile
index 3c8c0e93d5..ef7a3aa5d5 100644
--- a/tests/lua_loader/Makefile
+++ b/tests/lua_loader/Makefile
@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@ include ../Makefile.tests_common
 
 USEPKG += lua
 
+# This application uses getchar and thus expects input from stdio
+USEMODULE += stdin
+
 BOARD_WHITELIST += native samr21-xpro
 
 ifneq ($(BOARD),native)