diff --git a/dist/Makefile b/dist/Makefile
index 4677cf1710..84c5be3b45 100644
--- a/dist/Makefile
+++ b/dist/Makefile
@@ -11,7 +11,9 @@
 export PROJECT =foobar
 
 # for easy switching of boards
-export BOARD = msb-430
+ifeq ($(strip $(BOARD)),)
+	export BOARD = msba2
+endif
 
 # this has to be the absolute path of the RIOT-base dir
 export RIOTBASE =$(CURDIR)/../../RIOT