diff --git a/boards/hifive1/Makefile.include b/boards/hifive1/Makefile.include
index 9ef59603a7..a3abd6fe0d 100644
--- a/boards/hifive1/Makefile.include
+++ b/boards/hifive1/Makefile.include
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ PORT_DARWIN ?= $(firstword $(sort $(wildcard /dev/tty.usbmodem*)))
 # setup serial terminal
 include $(RIOTMAKE)/tools/serial.inc.mk
 
-# this board uses openocd
-export OPENOCD_CMD_RESET_RUN=_reset
+# this board uses openocd with a custom reset command
+export OPENOCD_CMD_RESET_RUN=-c _reset
 include $(RIOTMAKE)/tools/openocd.inc.mk
 
 # use our own openocd script to flash since HiFive1 has reset problems.