diff --git a/net/Kconfig.debug b/net/Kconfig.debug
index a5781cf63b16..e6ae11cc2fb7 100644
--- a/net/Kconfig.debug
+++ b/net/Kconfig.debug
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ config NET_NS_REFCNT_TRACKER
 
 config DEBUG_NET
 	bool "Add generic networking debug"
-	depends on DEBUG_KERNEL
+	depends on DEBUG_KERNEL && NET
 	help
 	  Enable extra sanity checks in networking.
 	  This is mostly used by fuzzers, but is safe to select.