diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py
index 9cb74d1818..07202e3392 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py
@@ -1235,7 +1235,7 @@ class BBCooker:
 
         with open(dest, "w") as imagefile:
             if base_image is None:
-                imagefile.write("inherit image\n")
+                imagefile.write("inherit core-image\n")
             else:
                 topdir = self.data.getVar("TOPDIR")
                 if topdir in base_image: