diff --git a/common/spl/spl.c b/common/spl/spl.c
index 8941cbf596..8c4cd933cf 100644
--- a/common/spl/spl.c
+++ b/common/spl/spl.c
@@ -215,7 +215,24 @@ static int spl_load_fit_image(struct spl_image_info *spl_image,
 	ret = fit_image_load(&images, (ulong)header,
 			     NULL, &fit_uname_config,
 			     IH_ARCH_DEFAULT, IH_TYPE_STANDALONE, -1,
-			     FIT_LOAD_REQUIRED, &fw_data, &fw_len);
+			     FIT_LOAD_OPTIONAL, &fw_data, &fw_len);
+	if (ret >= 0) {
+		printf("DEPRECATED: 'standalone = ' property.");
+		printf("Please use either 'firmware =' or 'kernel ='\n");
+	} else {
+		ret = fit_image_load(&images, (ulong)header, NULL,
+				     &fit_uname_config, IH_ARCH_DEFAULT,
+				     IH_TYPE_FIRMWARE, -1, FIT_LOAD_OPTIONAL,
+				     &fw_data, &fw_len);
+	}
+
+	if (ret < 0) {
+		ret = fit_image_load(&images, (ulong)header, NULL,
+				     &fit_uname_config, IH_ARCH_DEFAULT,
+				     IH_TYPE_KERNEL, -1, FIT_LOAD_OPTIONAL,
+				     &fw_data, &fw_len);
+	}
+
 	if (ret < 0)
 		return ret;