diff --git a/examples/openthread/ot_br/sdkconfig.defaults b/examples/openthread/ot_br/sdkconfig.defaults
index c223da9ab8..6620bfa46b 100644
--- a/examples/openthread/ot_br/sdkconfig.defaults
+++ b/examples/openthread/ot_br/sdkconfig.defaults
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ CONFIG_MBEDTLS_ECJPAKE_C=y
 #
 CONFIG_OPENTHREAD_ENABLED=y
 CONFIG_OPENTHREAD_BORDER_ROUTER=y
+CONFIG_OPENTHREAD_RADIO_SPINEL_UART=y
 # end of OpenThread
 
 #