diff --git a/makefiles/tools/bossa.inc.mk b/makefiles/tools/bossa.inc.mk
index bec1a77a9e..54cec814a2 100644
--- a/makefiles/tools/bossa.inc.mk
+++ b/makefiles/tools/bossa.inc.mk
@@ -1,7 +1,14 @@
 BOSSA_VERSION ?= 1.9
 FLASHFILE ?= $(BINFILE)
 FLASHER ?= $(RIOTTOOLS)/bossa-$(BOSSA_VERSION)/bossac
-FFLAGS  ?= -p $(PROG_DEV) -o $(ROM_OFFSET) -e -i -w -v -b -R $(FLASHFILE)
+FFLAGS_OPTS ?=
+
+# Only use ROM_OFFSET with Bossa version 1.9
+ifeq (1.9,$(BOSSA_VERSION))
+  FFLAGS_OPTS += -o $(ROM_OFFSET)
+endif
+
+FFLAGS  ?= -p $(PROG_DEV) $(FFLAGS_OPTS) -e -i -w -v -b -R $(FLASHFILE)
 
 # some arduino boards need to toggle the serial interface a little bit to get
 # them ready for flashing...