diff --git a/kernel/reboot.c b/kernel/reboot.c
index 269ed93..f813b34 100644
--- a/kernel/reboot.c
+++ b/kernel/reboot.c
@@ -32,7 +32,14 @@
 #endif
 enum reboot_mode reboot_mode DEFAULT_REBOOT_MODE;
 
-int reboot_default;
+/*
+ * This variable is used privately to keep track of whether or not
+ * reboot_type is still set to its default value (i.e., reboot= hasn't
+ * been set on the command line).  This is needed so that we can
+ * suppress DMI scanning for reboot quirks.  Without it, it's
+ * impossible to override a faulty reboot quirk without recompiling.
+ */
+int reboot_default = 1;
 int reboot_cpu;
 enum reboot_type reboot_type = BOOT_ACPI;
 int reboot_force;