diff --git a/boards/common/esp8266/Makefile.include b/boards/common/esp8266/Makefile.include
index 4c60974b9a..44a141a366 100644
--- a/boards/common/esp8266/Makefile.include
+++ b/boards/common/esp8266/Makefile.include
@@ -8,4 +8,4 @@ PORT_DARWIN ?= $(firstword $(sort $(wildcard /dev/tty.SLAB_USBtoUART*)))
 include $(RIOTMAKE)/tools/serial.inc.mk
 
 # reset tool configuration
-RESET = esptool.py --before default_reset run
+RESET ?= esptool.py --before default_reset run