diff --git a/board/assabet/assabet.c b/board/assabet/assabet.c
index 6f02db2..753c8d2 100644
--- a/board/assabet/assabet.c
+++ b/board/assabet/assabet.c
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
  */
 
 #include <common.h>
+#include <netdev.h>
 #include <SA-1100.h>
 
 DECLARE_GLOBAL_DATA_PTR;
@@ -117,3 +118,14 @@
 
 	return (0);
 }
+
+#ifdef CONFIG_CMD_NET
+int board_eth_init(bd_t *bis)
+{
+	int rc = 0;
+#ifdef CONFIG_LAN91C96
+	rc = lan91c96_initialize(0, CONFIG_LAN91C96_BASE);
+#endif
+	return rc;
+}
+#endif