diff --git a/dist/tools/compile_test/compile_like_murdock.py b/dist/tools/compile_test/compile_like_murdock.py
index ba1caeeb9a..9e84c81a8d 100755
--- a/dist/tools/compile_test/compile_like_murdock.py
+++ b/dist/tools/compile_test/compile_like_murdock.py
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ def main():
         if args.cpu:
             target_boards = _supported_boards_from_cpu(args.cpu, full_env,
                                                        test_dir)
-        elif args.boards[0] == "all":
+        elif args.boards and args.boards[0] == "all":
             target_boards = _supported_boards(boards, full_env, test_dir, True)
         else:
             target_boards = _supported_boards(boards, full_env, test_dir,
diff --git a/dist/tools/compile_test/tests/run.py b/dist/tools/compile_test/tests/run.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e69de29bb2