diff --git a/etc/telegraf.conf b/etc/telegraf.conf
index 694bd6564..3d65aaf62 100644
--- a/etc/telegraf.conf
+++ b/etc/telegraf.conf
@@ -378,6 +378,11 @@
   # skip_serial_number = true
 
 
+# Get kernel statistics from /proc/stat
+[[inputs.kernel]]
+  # no configuration
+
+
 # Read metrics about memory usage
 [[inputs.mem]]
   # no configuration
diff --git a/plugins/inputs/system/kernel_notlinux.go b/plugins/inputs/system/kernel_notlinux.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9053b5c04
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugins/inputs/system/kernel_notlinux.go
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+// +build !linux
+
+package system
+
+import (
+	"github.com/influxdata/telegraf"
+	"github.com/influxdata/telegraf/plugins/inputs"
+)
+
+type Kernel struct {
+}
+
+func (k *Kernel) Description() string {
+	return "Get kernel statistics from /proc/stat"
+}
+
+func (k *Kernel) SampleConfig() string { return "" }
+
+func (k *Kernel) Gather(acc telegraf.Accumulator) error {
+	return nil
+}
+
+func init() {
+	inputs.Add("kernel", func() telegraf.Input {
+		return &Kernel{}
+	})
+}