diff --git a/boards/pic32-clicker/Makefile.include b/boards/pic32-clicker/Makefile.include
index 264f0e502c..6e3898c579 100644
--- a/boards/pic32-clicker/Makefile.include
+++ b/boards/pic32-clicker/Makefile.include
@@ -2,3 +2,5 @@ export CPU = mips_pic32mx
 export CPU_MODEL=p32mx470f512h
 export APPDEPS += $(RIOTCPU)/$(CPU)/$(CPU_MODEL)/$(CPU_MODEL).S
 export USE_UHI_SYSCALLS = 1
+
+FLASHFILE ?= $(HEXFILE)
diff --git a/boards/pic32-wifire/Makefile.include b/boards/pic32-wifire/Makefile.include
index 7e4a7c7387..c07595ef98 100644
--- a/boards/pic32-wifire/Makefile.include
+++ b/boards/pic32-wifire/Makefile.include
@@ -2,3 +2,5 @@ export CPU = mips_pic32mz
 export CPU_MODEL=p32mz2048efg100
 export APPDEPS += $(RIOTCPU)/$(CPU)/$(CPU_MODEL)/$(CPU_MODEL).S
 export USE_UHI_SYSCALLS = 1
+
+FLASHFILE ?= $(HEXFILE)