diff --git a/build_debian.sh b/build_debian.sh
index db736d16946..d297c494023 100755
--- a/build_debian.sh
+++ b/build_debian.sh
@@ -452,6 +452,7 @@ sudo tee $FILESYSTEM_ROOT/etc/sonic/sonic_version.yml > /dev/null <<EOF
 build_version: '${SONIC_IMAGE_VERSION}'
 debian_version: '$(cat $FILESYSTEM_ROOT/etc/debian_version)'
 kernel_version: '$kversion'
+base_os_compatibility_version: ${BASE_OS_COMPATIBILITY_VERSION}
 asic_type: $sonic_asic_platform
 commit_id: '$(git rev-parse --short HEAD)'
 build_date: $(date -u)
diff --git a/platform/vs/sonic-version/build_sonic_version.sh b/platform/vs/sonic-version/build_sonic_version.sh
index f118a1c20a6..6d0995c66c4 100755
--- a/platform/vs/sonic-version/build_sonic_version.sh
+++ b/platform/vs/sonic-version/build_sonic_version.sh
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 tee $1 > /dev/null <<EOF
 build_version: '$sonic_version'
 asic_type: $sonic_asic_platform
+base_os_compatibility_version: ${BASE_OS_COMPATIBILITY_VERSION}
 commit_id: '$(git rev-parse --short HEAD)'
 build_date: $(date -u)
 build_number: ${BUILD_NUMBER:-0}
diff --git a/rules/base-os-compatibility-version.mk b/rules/base-os-compatibility-version.mk
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..6bf30ecfe4f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/rules/base-os-compatibility-version.mk
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+# Define SONiC base OS compatibility version.
+# SONiC packages dependning on specific SONiC base image features (kernel change, etc.)
+# may define a dependency on specific version pattern.
+
+BASE_OS_COMPATIBILITY_VERSION = 1.0.0
+
diff --git a/slave.mk b/slave.mk
index ba82e717910..aeffbf5cfc0 100644
--- a/slave.mk
+++ b/slave.mk
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ export CONFIGURED_ARCH
 export PYTHON_WHEELS_PATH
 export IMAGE_DISTRO
 export IMAGE_DISTRO_DEBS_PATH
+export BASE_OS_COMPATIBILITY_VERSION
 
 ###############################################################################
 ## Utility rules