diff --git a/board/qemu/x86/linux-3.15.config b/board/qemu/x86/linux-3.16.config
similarity index 100%
rename from board/qemu/x86/linux-3.15.config
rename to board/qemu/x86/linux-3.16.config
diff --git a/board/qemu/x86/readme.txt b/board/qemu/x86/readme.txt
index 9ee2e37e1c..92ce47c30a 100644
--- a/board/qemu/x86/readme.txt
+++ b/board/qemu/x86/readme.txt
@@ -4,4 +4,4 @@ Run the emulation with:
 
 The login prompt will appear in the graphical window.
 
-Tested with QEMU 2.0.0
+Tested with QEMU 2.1.0
diff --git a/configs/qemu_x86_defconfig b/configs/qemu_x86_defconfig
index 591dc2b5b7..998e2265c3 100644
--- a/configs/qemu_x86_defconfig
+++ b/configs/qemu_x86_defconfig
@@ -10,14 +10,14 @@ BR2_TARGET_GENERIC_GETTY_PORT="tty1"
 BR2_TARGET_ROOTFS_EXT2=y
 # BR2_TARGET_ROOTFS_TAR is not set
 
-# Lock to 3.15 headers to avoid breaking with newer kernels
+# Lock to 3.16 headers to avoid breaking with newer kernels
 BR2_KERNEL_HEADERS_VERSION=y
-BR2_DEFAULT_KERNEL_VERSION="3.15.7"
-BR2_PACKAGE_HOST_LINUX_HEADERS_CUSTOM_3_15=y
+BR2_DEFAULT_KERNEL_VERSION="3.16.3"
+BR2_PACKAGE_HOST_LINUX_HEADERS_CUSTOM_3_16=y
 
 # Kernel
 BR2_LINUX_KERNEL=y
 BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_CUSTOM_VERSION=y
-BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_CUSTOM_VERSION_VALUE="3.15.7"
+BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_CUSTOM_VERSION_VALUE="3.16.3"
 BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_USE_CUSTOM_CONFIG=y
-BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_CUSTOM_CONFIG_FILE="board/qemu/x86/linux-3.15.config"
+BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_CUSTOM_CONFIG_FILE="board/qemu/x86/linux-3.16.config"