diff --git a/boards/esp32-wrover-kit/Makefile.include b/boards/esp32-wrover-kit/Makefile.include
index ae2fa0a875..a5c6f2a3d5 100644
--- a/boards/esp32-wrover-kit/Makefile.include
+++ b/boards/esp32-wrover-kit/Makefile.include
@@ -2,4 +2,7 @@ PSEUDOMODULES += esp32_wrover_kit_camera
 
 USEMODULE += boards_common_esp32
 
+# configure the serial interface
+PORT_LINUX ?= /dev/ttyUSB1
+
 include $(RIOTBOARD)/common/esp32/Makefile.include