diff --git a/boards/pic32-wifire/Makefile.include b/boards/pic32-wifire/Makefile.include
index 07387cbd49..3a9a5e83d2 100644
--- a/boards/pic32-wifire/Makefile.include
+++ b/boards/pic32-wifire/Makefile.include
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ ifeq ($(PROGRAMMER),pic32prog)
   # * https://docs.creatordev.io/wifire/guides/wifire-programming/
   # * The triangle `▶` goes into the port number 1 (a hole with a square around it)
   #   opposite side of the JP1 ICSP text.
+  FLASHFILE ?= $(HEXFILE)
   include $(RIOTMAKE)/tools/pic32prog.inc.mk
 else ifeq ($(PROGRAMMER),jlink)
   FLASHFILE ?= $(HEXFILE)