diff --git a/build_slider.sh b/build_slider.sh
index 86b6235710cd..438ed7c3f1a0 100755
--- a/build_slider.sh
+++ b/build_slider.sh
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ function exit_if_error {
   fi
 }
 
+# Default enable BUILD_STAGING_KERNEL
+BUILD_STAGING_KERNEL=${BUILD_STAGING_KERNEL:-1}
 if [ "${BUILD_AOSP_KERNEL}" = "1" ]; then
   BUILD_KERNEL=1
   EXPERIMENTAL_BUILD=0