diff --git a/boards/cc2538dk/Makefile.features b/boards/cc2538dk/Makefile.features
index 68545ecde2..27a54eb4d0 100644
--- a/boards/cc2538dk/Makefile.features
+++ b/boards/cc2538dk/Makefile.features
@@ -1 +1,2 @@
+FEATURES_PROVIDED += cpp
 FEATURES_PROVIDED += periph_gpio periph_random periph_cpuid
diff --git a/boards/cc2538dk/Makefile.include b/boards/cc2538dk/Makefile.include
index 0450cb4f14..f5a4534fa7 100644
--- a/boards/cc2538dk/Makefile.include
+++ b/boards/cc2538dk/Makefile.include
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ export CPU_MODEL ?= cc2538nf53
 export PREFIX ?= arm-none-eabi-
 
 export CC      = $(PREFIX)gcc
+export CXX     = $(PREFIX)g++
 export AR      = $(PREFIX)ar
 export AS      = $(PREFIX)as
 export LINK    = $(PREFIX)gcc
@@ -46,6 +47,10 @@ export RESET_FLAGS = $(BINDIR)
 
 export OBJDUMPFLAGS += --disassemble --source --disassembler-options=force-thumb
 
+# unwanted (CXXUWFLAGS) and extra (CXXEXFLAGS) flags for c++
+export CXXUWFLAGS +=
+export CXXEXFLAGS +=
+
 # Use the nano-specs of the NewLib when available:
 ifeq ($(shell $(LINK) -specs=nano.specs -E - 2>/dev/null >/dev/null </dev/null ; echo $$?),0)
     export LINKFLAGS += -specs=nano.specs -lc -lnosys