diff --git a/arch/arm/include/asm/arch-fsl-layerscape/config.h b/arch/arm/include/asm/arch-fsl-layerscape/config.h
index f8d0656ca9..7a7f166e82 100644
--- a/arch/arm/include/asm/arch-fsl-layerscape/config.h
+++ b/arch/arm/include/asm/arch-fsl-layerscape/config.h
@@ -183,9 +183,6 @@
 #elif defined(CONFIG_ARCH_LX2160A) || defined(CONFIG_ARCH_LX2162A)
 #define TZPC_BASE				0x02200000
 #define TZPCDECPROT_0_SET_BASE			(TZPC_BASE + 0x804)
-#if !CONFIG_IS_ENABLED(DM_I2C)
-#define CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT
-#endif
 #define SRDS_MAX_LANES  8
 #ifndef L1_CACHE_BYTES
 #define L1_CACHE_SHIFT		6
diff --git a/board/freescale/ls1028a/ls1028a.c b/board/freescale/ls1028a/ls1028a.c
index 5269fd34c6..461c571b36 100644
--- a/board/freescale/ls1028a/ls1028a.c
+++ b/board/freescale/ls1028a/ls1028a.c
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ int board_early_init_f(void)
 	u8 uart;
 #endif
 
-#ifdef CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT
+#if defined(CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT) && defined(CONFIG_SPL_BUILD)
 	i2c_early_init_f();
 #endif
 
diff --git a/board/freescale/ls1043aqds/ls1043aqds.c b/board/freescale/ls1043aqds/ls1043aqds.c
index 76bbb6087a..2d5322406a 100644
--- a/board/freescale/ls1043aqds/ls1043aqds.c
+++ b/board/freescale/ls1043aqds/ls1043aqds.c
@@ -52,10 +52,6 @@ enum {
 #define CFG_UART_MUX_SHIFT	1
 #define CFG_LPUART_EN		0x1
 
-#ifdef CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT
-void i2c_early_init_f(void);
-#endif
-
 #ifdef CONFIG_TFABOOT
 struct ifc_regs ifc_cfg_nor_boot[CONFIG_SYS_FSL_IFC_BANK_COUNT] = {
 	{
@@ -447,7 +443,7 @@ int board_early_init_f(void)
 	 */
 	out_le32(cntcr, 0x1);
 
-#ifdef CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT
+#if defined(CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT)
 	i2c_early_init_f();
 #endif
 	fsl_lsch2_early_init_f();
diff --git a/board/freescale/ls1046aqds/ls1046aqds.c b/board/freescale/ls1046aqds/ls1046aqds.c
index 2b0786ac30..cc95d441b6 100644
--- a/board/freescale/ls1046aqds/ls1046aqds.c
+++ b/board/freescale/ls1046aqds/ls1046aqds.c
@@ -37,10 +37,6 @@
 
 DECLARE_GLOBAL_DATA_PTR;
 
-#ifdef CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT
-void i2c_early_init_f(void);
-#endif
-
 #ifdef CONFIG_TFABOOT
 struct ifc_regs ifc_cfg_nor_boot[CONFIG_SYS_FSL_IFC_BANK_COUNT] = {
 	{
@@ -318,7 +314,7 @@ int board_early_init_f(void)
 	 */
 	out_le32(cntcr, 0x1);
 
-#ifdef CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT
+#if defined(CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT)
 	i2c_early_init_f();
 #endif
 	fsl_lsch2_early_init_f();
diff --git a/board/freescale/ls2080aqds/ls2080aqds.c b/board/freescale/ls2080aqds/ls2080aqds.c
index c48b01f7d7..62658c4702 100644
--- a/board/freescale/ls2080aqds/ls2080aqds.c
+++ b/board/freescale/ls2080aqds/ls2080aqds.c
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ int board_init(void)
 
 int board_early_init_f(void)
 {
-#ifdef CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT
+#if defined(CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT)
 	i2c_early_init_f();
 #endif
 	fsl_lsch3_early_init_f();
diff --git a/board/freescale/ls2080ardb/ls2080ardb.c b/board/freescale/ls2080ardb/ls2080ardb.c
index e8722f20c1..58b852383e 100644
--- a/board/freescale/ls2080ardb/ls2080ardb.c
+++ b/board/freescale/ls2080ardb/ls2080ardb.c
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ int board_init(void)
 
 int board_early_init_f(void)
 {
-#ifdef CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT
+#if defined(CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT)
 	i2c_early_init_f();
 #endif
 	fsl_lsch3_early_init_f();
diff --git a/board/freescale/lx2160a/lx2160a.c b/board/freescale/lx2160a/lx2160a.c
index f505e82fb9..e61289d228 100644
--- a/board/freescale/lx2160a/lx2160a.c
+++ b/board/freescale/lx2160a/lx2160a.c
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ static void uart_get_clock(void)
 
 int board_early_init_f(void)
 {
-#ifdef CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT
+#if defined(CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT) && defined(CONFIG_SPL_BUILD)
 	i2c_early_init_f();
 #endif
 	/* get required clock for UART IP */
diff --git a/configs/ls1043aqds_qspi_defconfig b/configs/ls1043aqds_qspi_defconfig
index 4825ff2d1b..dabaadf73d 100644
--- a/configs/ls1043aqds_qspi_defconfig
+++ b/configs/ls1043aqds_qspi_defconfig
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ CONFIG_SATA_CEVA=y
 CONFIG_FSL_CAAM=y
 CONFIG_DM_I2C=y
 CONFIG_SPL_SYS_I2C_LEGACY=y
+CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EEPROM_ADDR=0x57
 CONFIG_FSL_ESDHC=y
 # CONFIG_SPI_FLASH_BAR is not set
diff --git a/configs/ls1043aqds_sdcard_qspi_defconfig b/configs/ls1043aqds_sdcard_qspi_defconfig
index 0cd69fd596..750fd544de 100644
--- a/configs/ls1043aqds_sdcard_qspi_defconfig
+++ b/configs/ls1043aqds_sdcard_qspi_defconfig
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ CONFIG_SATA_CEVA=y
 CONFIG_FSL_CAAM=y
 CONFIG_DM_I2C=y
 CONFIG_SPL_SYS_I2C_LEGACY=y
+CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EEPROM_ADDR=0x57
 CONFIG_FSL_ESDHC=y
 # CONFIG_SPI_FLASH_BAR is not set
diff --git a/configs/ls1043aqds_tfa_SECURE_BOOT_defconfig b/configs/ls1043aqds_tfa_SECURE_BOOT_defconfig
index c7a4b463f3..c9d22e7375 100644
--- a/configs/ls1043aqds_tfa_SECURE_BOOT_defconfig
+++ b/configs/ls1043aqds_tfa_SECURE_BOOT_defconfig
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ CONFIG_DM=y
 CONFIG_SATA_CEVA=y
 CONFIG_DM_I2C=y
 CONFIG_SPL_SYS_I2C_LEGACY=y
+CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EEPROM_ADDR=0x57
 CONFIG_FSL_ESDHC=y
 CONFIG_MTD=y
diff --git a/configs/ls1043aqds_tfa_defconfig b/configs/ls1043aqds_tfa_defconfig
index 4903cb2c0c..12240b0147 100644
--- a/configs/ls1043aqds_tfa_defconfig
+++ b/configs/ls1043aqds_tfa_defconfig
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ CONFIG_SATA_CEVA=y
 CONFIG_FSL_CAAM=y
 CONFIG_DM_I2C=y
 CONFIG_SPL_SYS_I2C_LEGACY=y
+CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EEPROM_ADDR=0x57
 CONFIG_FSL_ESDHC=y
 CONFIG_MTD=y
diff --git a/configs/ls1046aqds_qspi_defconfig b/configs/ls1046aqds_qspi_defconfig
index f0c281ecae..1b06cc6408 100644
--- a/configs/ls1046aqds_qspi_defconfig
+++ b/configs/ls1046aqds_qspi_defconfig
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ CONFIG_DM=y
 CONFIG_SATA_CEVA=y
 CONFIG_FSL_CAAM=y
 CONFIG_DM_I2C=y
+CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EEPROM_ADDR=0x57
 CONFIG_FSL_ESDHC=y
 # CONFIG_SPI_FLASH_BAR is not set
diff --git a/configs/ls1046aqds_sdcard_qspi_defconfig b/configs/ls1046aqds_sdcard_qspi_defconfig
index 6100417cd8..16fb3c41df 100644
--- a/configs/ls1046aqds_sdcard_qspi_defconfig
+++ b/configs/ls1046aqds_sdcard_qspi_defconfig
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ CONFIG_DM=y
 CONFIG_SATA_CEVA=y
 CONFIG_FSL_CAAM=y
 CONFIG_DM_I2C=y
+CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EEPROM_ADDR=0x57
 CONFIG_FSL_ESDHC=y
 # CONFIG_SPI_FLASH_BAR is not set
diff --git a/configs/ls1046aqds_tfa_SECURE_BOOT_defconfig b/configs/ls1046aqds_tfa_SECURE_BOOT_defconfig
index c4005ab43a..d12c8b6a0c 100644
--- a/configs/ls1046aqds_tfa_SECURE_BOOT_defconfig
+++ b/configs/ls1046aqds_tfa_SECURE_BOOT_defconfig
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ CONFIG_ENV_OVERWRITE=y
 CONFIG_DM=y
 CONFIG_SATA_CEVA=y
 CONFIG_DM_I2C=y
+CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EEPROM_ADDR=0x57
 CONFIG_FSL_ESDHC=y
 CONFIG_MTD=y
diff --git a/configs/ls1046aqds_tfa_defconfig b/configs/ls1046aqds_tfa_defconfig
index 05972837a1..6ff00d56ab 100644
--- a/configs/ls1046aqds_tfa_defconfig
+++ b/configs/ls1046aqds_tfa_defconfig
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ CONFIG_DM=y
 CONFIG_SATA_CEVA=y
 CONFIG_FSL_CAAM=y
 CONFIG_DM_I2C=y
+CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EEPROM_ADDR=0x57
 CONFIG_FSL_ESDHC=y
 CONFIG_MTD=y
diff --git a/configs/ls1088aqds_defconfig b/configs/ls1088aqds_defconfig
index db23c44861..dd9c18b05b 100644
--- a/configs/ls1088aqds_defconfig
+++ b/configs/ls1088aqds_defconfig
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ CONFIG_DM=y
 CONFIG_SCSI_AHCI=y
 CONFIG_SATA_CEVA=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_LEGACY=y
+CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EEPROM_ADDR=0x57
 CONFIG_FSL_ESDHC=y
 CONFIG_MTD=y
diff --git a/configs/ls1088aqds_sdcard_ifc_defconfig b/configs/ls1088aqds_sdcard_ifc_defconfig
index 19a0b2e8d1..4281fd2dbf 100644
--- a/configs/ls1088aqds_sdcard_ifc_defconfig
+++ b/configs/ls1088aqds_sdcard_ifc_defconfig
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ CONFIG_DM=y
 CONFIG_SCSI_AHCI=y
 CONFIG_SATA_CEVA=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_LEGACY=y
+CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EEPROM_ADDR=0x57
 CONFIG_FSL_ESDHC=y
 CONFIG_MTD=y
diff --git a/configs/ls2080aqds_nand_defconfig b/configs/ls2080aqds_nand_defconfig
index 12037d7283..9e20233315 100644
--- a/configs/ls2080aqds_nand_defconfig
+++ b/configs/ls2080aqds_nand_defconfig
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ CONFIG_DM=y
 CONFIG_SATA_CEVA=y
 CONFIG_FSL_CAAM=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_LEGACY=y
+CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EEPROM_ADDR=0x57
 CONFIG_FSL_ESDHC=y
 CONFIG_MTD=y
diff --git a/configs/ls2080aqds_qspi_defconfig b/configs/ls2080aqds_qspi_defconfig
index fa5857b4ac..f1d7775866 100644
--- a/configs/ls2080aqds_qspi_defconfig
+++ b/configs/ls2080aqds_qspi_defconfig
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ CONFIG_DM=y
 CONFIG_SATA_CEVA=y
 CONFIG_FSL_CAAM=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_LEGACY=y
+CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EEPROM_ADDR=0x57
 CONFIG_FSL_ESDHC=y
 CONFIG_MTD=y
diff --git a/configs/ls2080aqds_sdcard_defconfig b/configs/ls2080aqds_sdcard_defconfig
index 7cd1bec0da..e768f47cfe 100644
--- a/configs/ls2080aqds_sdcard_defconfig
+++ b/configs/ls2080aqds_sdcard_defconfig
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ CONFIG_NET_RANDOM_ETHADDR=y
 CONFIG_DM=y
 CONFIG_SATA_CEVA=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_LEGACY=y
+CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EEPROM_ADDR=0x57
 CONFIG_FSL_ESDHC=y
 CONFIG_MTD=y
diff --git a/configs/ls2081ardb_defconfig b/configs/ls2081ardb_defconfig
index ad32df7ef1..42ccf3f884 100644
--- a/configs/ls2081ardb_defconfig
+++ b/configs/ls2081ardb_defconfig
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ CONFIG_SCSI_AHCI=y
 CONFIG_SATA_CEVA=y
 CONFIG_FSL_CAAM=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_LEGACY=y
+CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EEPROM_ADDR=0x57
 CONFIG_FSL_ESDHC=y
 CONFIG_MTD=y
diff --git a/configs/ls2088ardb_qspi_SECURE_BOOT_defconfig b/configs/ls2088ardb_qspi_SECURE_BOOT_defconfig
index 26c7074d18..09790e1144 100644
--- a/configs/ls2088ardb_qspi_SECURE_BOOT_defconfig
+++ b/configs/ls2088ardb_qspi_SECURE_BOOT_defconfig
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ CONFIG_NET_RANDOM_ETHADDR=y
 CONFIG_DM=y
 CONFIG_SATA_CEVA=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_LEGACY=y
+CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EEPROM_ADDR=0x57
 CONFIG_FSL_ESDHC=y
 CONFIG_MTD=y
diff --git a/configs/ls2088ardb_qspi_defconfig b/configs/ls2088ardb_qspi_defconfig
index 02822a0a48..f79a2828ac 100644
--- a/configs/ls2088ardb_qspi_defconfig
+++ b/configs/ls2088ardb_qspi_defconfig
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ CONFIG_DM=y
 CONFIG_SATA_CEVA=y
 CONFIG_FSL_CAAM=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_LEGACY=y
+CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT=y
 CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EEPROM_ADDR=0x57
 CONFIG_FSL_ESDHC=y
 CONFIG_MTD=y
diff --git a/drivers/i2c/Kconfig b/drivers/i2c/Kconfig
index 1466f8dd93..f4df4bac5e 100644
--- a/drivers/i2c/Kconfig
+++ b/drivers/i2c/Kconfig
@@ -69,6 +69,13 @@ config TPL_SYS_I2C_LEGACY
 	  Enable the legacy I2C subsystem and drivers in TPL.  This is useful
 	  in some size constrained situations.
 
+config SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT
+	bool "Enable legacy I2C subsystem early in boot"
+	depends on BOARD_EARLY_INIT_F && SPL_SYS_I2C_LEGACY && SYS_I2C_MXC
+	help
+	  Add the function prototype for i2c_early_init_f which is called in
+	  board_early_init_f.
+
 config I2C_CROS_EC_TUNNEL
 	tristate "Chrome OS EC tunnel I2C bus"
 	depends on CROS_EC
diff --git a/drivers/i2c/i2c_core.c b/drivers/i2c/i2c_core.c
index 85cf75ecd9..09f91e674d 100644
--- a/drivers/i2c/i2c_core.c
+++ b/drivers/i2c/i2c_core.c
@@ -190,11 +190,6 @@ __weak void i2c_init_board(void)
 {
 }
 
-/* implement possible for i2c specific early i2c init */
-__weak void i2c_early_init_f(void)
-{
-}
-
 /*
  * i2c_init_all():
  *
diff --git a/include/configs/ls1043aqds.h b/include/configs/ls1043aqds.h
index d3a8681fd8..2677090249 100644
--- a/include/configs/ls1043aqds.h
+++ b/include/configs/ls1043aqds.h
@@ -186,7 +186,6 @@ unsigned long get_board_ddr_clk(void);
 #if defined(CONFIG_TFABOOT) || \
 	defined(CONFIG_QSPI_BOOT) || defined(CONFIG_SD_BOOT_QSPI)
 #define CONFIG_QIXIS_I2C_ACCESS
-#define CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT
 #endif
 
 /*
diff --git a/include/configs/ls1046aqds.h b/include/configs/ls1046aqds.h
index 98b3f8be9b..b7e6ba890f 100644
--- a/include/configs/ls1046aqds.h
+++ b/include/configs/ls1046aqds.h
@@ -204,7 +204,6 @@ unsigned long get_board_ddr_clk(void);
 #if defined(CONFIG_TFABOOT) || \
 	defined(CONFIG_QSPI_BOOT) || defined(CONFIG_SD_BOOT_QSPI)
 #define CONFIG_QIXIS_I2C_ACCESS
-#define CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT
 #endif
 
 /*
diff --git a/include/configs/ls1088aqds.h b/include/configs/ls1088aqds.h
index ed70122e74..f556fb387f 100644
--- a/include/configs/ls1088aqds.h
+++ b/include/configs/ls1088aqds.h
@@ -26,9 +26,6 @@ unsigned long get_board_ddr_clk(void);
 #define CONFIG_DDR_CLK_FREQ		100000000
 #else
 #define CONFIG_QIXIS_I2C_ACCESS
-#if !CONFIG_IS_ENABLED(DM_I2C)
-#define CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT
-#endif
 #define CONFIG_SYS_CLK_FREQ		get_board_sys_clk()
 #define CONFIG_DDR_CLK_FREQ		get_board_ddr_clk()
 #endif
diff --git a/include/configs/ls2080aqds.h b/include/configs/ls2080aqds.h
index c94684e3e7..dc5f347e51 100644
--- a/include/configs/ls2080aqds.h
+++ b/include/configs/ls2080aqds.h
@@ -16,9 +16,6 @@ unsigned long get_board_ddr_clk(void);
 
 #ifdef CONFIG_FSL_QSPI
 #define CONFIG_QIXIS_I2C_ACCESS
-#if !CONFIG_IS_ENABLED(DM_I2C)
-#define CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT
-#endif
 #define CONFIG_SYS_I2C_IFDR_DIV		0x7e
 #endif
 
diff --git a/include/configs/ls2080ardb.h b/include/configs/ls2080ardb.h
index 9438af897d..6362b7f8f0 100644
--- a/include/configs/ls2080ardb.h
+++ b/include/configs/ls2080ardb.h
@@ -13,9 +13,6 @@
 #ifdef CONFIG_TARGET_LS2081ARDB
 #define CONFIG_QIXIS_I2C_ACCESS
 #endif
-#if !CONFIG_IS_ENABLED(DM_I2C)
-#define CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT
-#endif
 #endif
 
 #define I2C_MUX_CH_VOL_MONITOR		0xa
diff --git a/include/i2c.h b/include/i2c.h
index 07867059f6..2a8649e95e 100644
--- a/include/i2c.h
+++ b/include/i2c.h
@@ -610,6 +610,10 @@ extern struct acpi_ops i2c_acpi_ops;
  */
 int acpi_i2c_of_to_plat(struct udevice *dev);
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT
+void i2c_early_init_f(void);
+#endif
+
 #if !CONFIG_IS_ENABLED(DM_I2C)
 
 /*
@@ -756,9 +760,6 @@ extern struct i2c_bus_hose	i2c_bus[];
  * Initialization, must be called once on start up, may be called
  * repeatedly to change the speed and slave addresses.
  */
-#ifdef CONFIG_SYS_I2C_EARLY_INIT
-void i2c_early_init_f(void);
-#endif
 void i2c_init(int speed, int slaveaddr);
 void i2c_init_board(void);