diff --git a/arch/arm/src/stm32/Kconfig b/arch/arm/src/stm32/Kconfig
index 3a667731d9..075dd1efe3 100644
--- a/arch/arm/src/stm32/Kconfig
+++ b/arch/arm/src/stm32/Kconfig
@@ -7365,6 +7365,7 @@ choice
 
 config RTC_LSECLOCK
 	bool "LSE clock"
+	select STM32_PWR
 	---help---
 		Drive the RTC with the LSE clock
 
diff --git a/arch/arm/src/stm32/stm32f30xxx_rcc.c b/arch/arm/src/stm32/stm32f30xxx_rcc.c
index 6da5b9c03b..a5a6a0e745 100644
--- a/arch/arm/src/stm32/stm32f30xxx_rcc.c
+++ b/arch/arm/src/stm32/stm32f30xxx_rcc.c
@@ -660,6 +660,15 @@ static void stm32_stdclockconfig(void)
 #endif
 
 #if defined(CONFIG_RTC_LSECLOCK)
+  /* Normally peripheral clocks are enabled later in bootup, but we need
+   * clock on PWR *now* as without this setting registers that enable LSE
+   * won't work
+   */
+
+  regval  = getreg32(STM32_RCC_APB1ENR);
+  regval |= RCC_APB1ENR_PWREN;
+  putreg32(regval, STM32_RCC_APB1ENR);
+
   /* Low speed external clock source LSE
    *
    * TODO: There is another case where the LSE needs to