Cannot compile kernel without Initial RAM filesystem and RAM disk (initramfs/initrd) support

[giacof at tiscali.it]

Hello, I tried to build a custom 2.6.22 kernel on Kubuntu Gutsy without initramfs support, but the compilation stops with the following error:

init/built-in.o: In function `start_kernel':
/usr/src/linux-source-2.6.22/init/main.c:635: undefined reference to `early_populate_rootfs'
make[1]: *** [.tmp_vmlinux1] Error 1
make[1]: Leaving directory `/usr/src/linux-source-2.6.22'
make: *** [debian/stamp-build-kernel] Error 2

I can post my .config, if needed. In any case, I don't like the idea to be forced to enable initramfs.
Any help would be highly appreciated.

Federico