diff --git a/bootloaders/riotboot/Makefile b/bootloaders/riotboot/Makefile
index 4249e0dc0c..9e8f33036f 100644
--- a/bootloaders/riotboot/Makefile
+++ b/bootloaders/riotboot/Makefile
@@ -16,7 +16,9 @@ CFLAGS += -DRIOTBOOT
 CFLAGS += -DNDEBUG -DLOG_LEVEL=LOG_NONE
 DISABLE_MODULE += core_init core_msg core_panic
 DISABLE_MODULE += auto_init
-DISABLE_MODULE += stdio_cdc_acm
+
+# avoid using stdio
+USEMODULE += stdio_null
 
 # Include riotboot flash partition functionality
 USEMODULE += riotboot_slot