diff --git a/drivers/net/netconsole.c b/drivers/net/netconsole.c
index dfc82720065a..ed2a3977c6e7 100644
--- a/drivers/net/netconsole.c
+++ b/drivers/net/netconsole.c
@@ -799,5 +799,11 @@ static void __exit cleanup_netconsole(void)
 	}
 }
 
-module_init(init_netconsole);
+/*
+ * Use late_initcall to ensure netconsole is
+ * initialized after network device driver if built-in.
+ *
+ * late_initcall() and module_init() are identical if built as module.
+ */
+late_initcall(init_netconsole);
 module_exit(cleanup_netconsole);