diff --git a/examples/bluetooth/nimble/blemesh/sdkconfig.defaults b/examples/bluetooth/nimble/blemesh/sdkconfig.defaults
index 991dda58da..f14cb671c9 100644
--- a/examples/bluetooth/nimble/blemesh/sdkconfig.defaults
+++ b/examples/bluetooth/nimble/blemesh/sdkconfig.defaults
@@ -11,3 +11,4 @@ CONFIG_BTDM_CTRL_MODE_BTDM=n
 CONFIG_BT_BLUEDROID_ENABLED=n
 CONFIG_BT_NIMBLE_ENABLED=y
 CONFIG_BT_NIMBLE_MESH=y
+CONFIG_BT_NIMBLE_MESH_FRIEND=y