diff --git a/pycheribuild/files/minimal-image/etc/rc b/pycheribuild/files/minimal-image/etc/rc
index eace11757..aaacbe5b4 100644
--- a/pycheribuild/files/minimal-image/etc/rc
+++ b/pycheribuild/files/minimal-image/etc/rc
@@ -94,6 +94,9 @@ else
     /usr/sbin/sshd
 fi
 
+if [ -f /etc/rc.local ]; then
+    . /etc/rc.local
+fi
 
 echo "Logging in as root..."
 /usr/bin/login -f root