diff --git a/boards/arduino-zero/Makefile.include b/boards/arduino-zero/Makefile.include
index 711af3ea92..3e01a78055 100644
--- a/boards/arduino-zero/Makefile.include
+++ b/boards/arduino-zero/Makefile.include
@@ -2,4 +2,7 @@
 export CPU = samd21
 export CPU_MODEL = samd21g18a
 
+# set edbg device type
+EDBG_DEVICE_TYPE = atmel_cm0p
+
 include $(RIOTMAKE)/boards/sam0.inc.mk
diff --git a/boards/saml21-xpro/Makefile.include b/boards/saml21-xpro/Makefile.include
index d705e25f3b..376a76d728 100644
--- a/boards/saml21-xpro/Makefile.include
+++ b/boards/saml21-xpro/Makefile.include
@@ -3,4 +3,7 @@ export CPU = saml21
 export CPU_MODEL = saml21j18a
 export CFLAGS += -D__SAML21J18A__
 
+# set edbg device type
+EDBG_DEVICE_TYPE = atmel_cm0p
+
 include $(RIOTMAKE)/boards/sam0.inc.mk