diff --git a/boards/samr21-xpro/Makefile.include b/boards/samr21-xpro/Makefile.include
index acc6ee400b..ba753cc0a9 100644
--- a/boards/samr21-xpro/Makefile.include
+++ b/boards/samr21-xpro/Makefile.include
@@ -2,4 +2,7 @@
 export CPU = samd21
 export CPU_MODEL = samr21g18a
 
+# set edbg device type
+EDBG_DEVICE_TYPE = atmel_cm0p
+
 include $(RIOTMAKE)/boards/sam0.inc.mk