diff --git a/boards/common/msba2/Makefile.include b/boards/common/msba2/Makefile.include
index fd5f5d39e198..bcd3499f8e9c 100644
--- a/boards/common/msba2/Makefile.include
+++ b/boards/common/msba2/Makefile.include
@@ -36,7 +36,8 @@ export LINKFLAGS += -Wl,--gc-sections
 # use the nano-specs of Newlib when available
 USEMODULE += newlib_nano
 
-FFLAGS = $(PORT) $(HEXFILE)
+FLASHFILE ?= $(HEXFILE)
+FFLAGS = $(PORT) $(FLASHFILE)
 
 INCLUDES += -I$(RIOTBOARD)/common/msba2/include