diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 4dea5f939f41..cc15b3cd4529 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -908,6 +908,9 @@ KBUILD_CFLAGS   += $(call cc-option,-Werror=date-time)
 # enforce correct pointer usage
 KBUILD_CFLAGS   += $(call cc-option,-Werror=incompatible-pointer-types)
 
+# Require designated initializers for all marked structures
+KBUILD_CFLAGS   += $(call cc-option,-Werror=designated-init)
+
 # use the deterministic mode of AR if available
 KBUILD_ARFLAGS := $(call ar-option,D)