diff --git a/boards/samr21-xpro/Makefile.dep b/boards/samr21-xpro/Makefile.dep
index 5f8135643e..a69aeffd63 100644
--- a/boards/samr21-xpro/Makefile.dep
+++ b/boards/samr21-xpro/Makefile.dep
@@ -2,3 +2,7 @@ ifneq (,$(filter gnrc_netif_default,$(USEMODULE)))
   USEMODULE += at86rf233
   USEMODULE += gnrc_nomac
 endif
+
+ifneq (,$(filter saul_default,$(USEMODULE)))
+  USEMODULE += saul_gpio
+endif