diff --git a/Makefile.include b/Makefile.include
index 78e382c247..5d20fd8315 100644
--- a/Makefile.include
+++ b/Makefile.include
@@ -3,6 +3,10 @@ ifeq ($(strip $(RIOTCPU)),)
 	export RIOTCPU =$(RIOTBASE)/cpu
 endif
 	
+ifeq ($(strip $(RIOTBOARD)),)
+	export RIOTBOARD =$(RIOTBASE)/boards
+endif
+
 ifeq ($(strip $(MCU)),)
 	MCU = $(CPU)
 endif