diff --git a/distrib/utils/embedded/conf/armv7.conf b/distrib/utils/embedded/conf/armv7.conf
index 6d1282da9cae..eeccc6df5633 100644
--- a/distrib/utils/embedded/conf/armv7.conf
+++ b/distrib/utils/embedded/conf/armv7.conf
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# $NetBSD: armv7.conf,v 1.15 2017/07/09 10:41:40 jmcneill Exp $
+# $NetBSD: armv7.conf,v 1.16 2017/07/31 16:34:22 jmcneill Exp $
 # ARMv7 customization script used by mkimage
 #
 board=armv7
@@ -63,6 +63,12 @@ populate_rpi() {
 root=ld0a console=${console}
 #fb=1280x1024		# to select a mode, otherwise try EDID
 #fb=disable		# to disable fb completely
+EOF
+
+		cat > ${mnt}/boot/config.txt << EOF
+# UART settings, see https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/configuration/uart.md
+enable_uart=1            
+force_turbo=0
 EOF
 
 	        echo "${bar} installing firmware files ${bar}"
diff --git a/distrib/utils/embedded/conf/rpi.conf b/distrib/utils/embedded/conf/rpi.conf
index df25388bcf9a..79ceedd023a5 100644
--- a/distrib/utils/embedded/conf/rpi.conf
+++ b/distrib/utils/embedded/conf/rpi.conf
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# $NetBSD: rpi.conf,v 1.29 2015/04/19 18:28:31 hubertf Exp $
+# $NetBSD: rpi.conf,v 1.30 2017/07/31 16:34:22 jmcneill Exp $
 # Raspberry Pi customization script used by mkimage
 #
 
@@ -52,6 +52,13 @@ root=ld0a console=fb
 #fb=1280x1024		# to select a mode, otherwise try EDID 
 #fb=disable		# to disable fb completely
 EOF
+
+	cat > ${mnt}/boot/config.txt << EOF
+# UART settings, see https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/configuration/uart.md
+enable_uart=1
+force_turbo=0
+EOF
+
 	if [ ! -f ${kernel} ]; then
 		echo ${PROG}: Missing ${kernel} 1>&2
 		exit 1
diff --git a/distrib/utils/embedded/conf/rpi_inst.conf b/distrib/utils/embedded/conf/rpi_inst.conf
index f87487fa9ec9..df0160881f06 100644
--- a/distrib/utils/embedded/conf/rpi_inst.conf
+++ b/distrib/utils/embedded/conf/rpi_inst.conf
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# $NetBSD: rpi_inst.conf,v 1.8 2015/04/19 18:53:33 hubertf Exp $
+# $NetBSD: rpi_inst.conf,v 1.9 2017/07/31 16:34:22 jmcneill Exp $
 # Raspberry Pi customization script used by mkimage
 #
 
@@ -82,6 +82,13 @@ root=ld0a console=fb
 #fb=1280x1024		# to select a mode, otherwise try EDID 
 #fb=disable		# to disable fb completely
 EOF
+
+	cat > ${mnt}/boot/config.txt << EOF
+# UART settings, see https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/configuration/uart.md
+enable_uart=1            
+force_turbo=0
+EOF
+
 	if [ ! -f ${kernel} ]; then
 		echo ${PROG}: Missing ${kernel} 1>&2
 		exit 1