diff --git a/makefiles/tools/openocd.inc.mk b/makefiles/tools/openocd.inc.mk
index 1f836ea033..f2b694115f 100644
--- a/makefiles/tools/openocd.inc.mk
+++ b/makefiles/tools/openocd.inc.mk
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-export FLASHER = $(RIOTBASE)/dist/tools/openocd/openocd.sh
+export FLASHER ?= $(RIOTBASE)/dist/tools/openocd/openocd.sh
 export DEBUGGER = $(RIOTBASE)/dist/tools/openocd/openocd.sh
 export DEBUGSERVER = $(RIOTBASE)/dist/tools/openocd/openocd.sh
 export RESET = $(RIOTBASE)/dist/tools/openocd/openocd.sh