diff --git a/drivers/mtd/nand/spi/core.c b/drivers/mtd/nand/spi/core.c
index 6a305dc35e61..377ec9c317f5 100644
--- a/drivers/mtd/nand/spi/core.c
+++ b/drivers/mtd/nand/spi/core.c
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@ static struct nand_ecc_engine_ops spinand_ondie_ecc_engine_ops = {
 	.finish_io_req = spinand_ondie_ecc_finish_io_req,
 };
 
-static __maybe_unused struct nand_ecc_engine spinand_ondie_ecc_engine = {
+static struct nand_ecc_engine spinand_ondie_ecc_engine = {
 	.ops = &spinand_ondie_ecc_engine_ops,
 };
 
@@ -1137,6 +1137,10 @@ static int spinand_init(struct spinand_device *spinand)
 	if (ret)
 		goto err_manuf_cleanup;
 
+	/* SPI-NAND default ECC engine is on-die */
+	nand->ecc.defaults.engine_type = NAND_ECC_ENGINE_TYPE_ON_DIE;
+	nand->ecc.ondie_engine = &spinand_ondie_ecc_engine;
+
 	/*
 	 * Right now, we don't support ECC, so let the whole oob
 	 * area is available for user.