diff --git a/drivers/watchdog/Kconfig b/drivers/watchdog/Kconfig
index 4a52e899fe05..241fafde42cb 100644
--- a/drivers/watchdog/Kconfig
+++ b/drivers/watchdog/Kconfig
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+
 #
 # Watchdog device configuration
 #
@@ -113,6 +114,17 @@ config GPIO_WATCHDOG
 	  If you say yes here you get support for watchdog device
 	  controlled through GPIO-line.
 
+config GPIO_WATCHDOG_ARCH_INITCALL
+	bool "Register the watchdog as early as possible"
+	depends on GPIO_WATCHDOG=y
+	help
+	  In some situations, the default initcall level (module_init)
+	  in not early enough in the boot process to avoid the watchdog
+	  to be triggered.
+	  If you say yes here, the initcall level would be raised to
+	  arch_initcall.
+	  If in doubt, say N.
+
 config MENF21BMC_WATCHDOG
 	tristate "MEN 14F021P00 BMC Watchdog"
 	depends on MFD_MENF21BMC
diff --git a/drivers/watchdog/gpio_wdt.c b/drivers/watchdog/gpio_wdt.c
index cbc313d37c59..1687cc2d7122 100644
--- a/drivers/watchdog/gpio_wdt.c
+++ b/drivers/watchdog/gpio_wdt.c
@@ -267,7 +267,16 @@ static struct platform_driver gpio_wdt_driver = {
 	.probe	= gpio_wdt_probe,
 	.remove	= gpio_wdt_remove,
 };
+
+#ifdef CONFIG_GPIO_WATCHDOG_ARCH_INITCALL
+static int __init gpio_wdt_init(void)
+{
+	return platform_driver_register(&gpio_wdt_driver);
+}
+arch_initcall(gpio_wdt_init);
+#else
 module_platform_driver(gpio_wdt_driver);
+#endif
 
 MODULE_AUTHOR("Alexander Shiyan <shc_work@mail.ru>");
 MODULE_DESCRIPTION("GPIO Watchdog");