diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/parse/parse_py/ConfHandler.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/parse/parse_py/ConfHandler.py
index b006d06720..97aa130431 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/parse/parse_py/ConfHandler.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/parse/parse_py/ConfHandler.py
@@ -69,21 +69,25 @@ def init(data):
 def supports(fn, d):
     return fn[-5:] == ".conf"
 
-def include(parentfn, fn, lineno, data, error_out):
+def include(parentfn, fns, lineno, data, error_out):
     """
     error_out: A string indicating the verb (e.g. "include", "inherit") to be
     used in a ParseError that will be raised if the file to be included could
     not be included. Specify False to avoid raising an error in this case.
     """
-    if parentfn == fn: # prevent infinite recursion
-        return None
-
-    fn = data.expand(fn)
+    fns = data.expand(fns)
     parentfn = data.expand(parentfn)
 
-    if not fn:
-        # "include" or "require" without parameter is fine, just return.
-        return
+    # "include" or "require" accept zero to n space-separated file names to include.
+    for fn in fns.split():
+        include_single_file(parentfn, fn, lineno, data, error_out)
+
+def include_single_file(parentfn, fn, lineno, data, error_out):
+    """
+    Helper function for include() which does not expand or split its parameters.
+    """
+    if parentfn == fn: # prevent infinite recursion
+        return None
 
     if not os.path.isabs(fn):
         dname = os.path.dirname(parentfn)