diff --git a/boards/samd21-xpro/Makefile.include b/boards/samd21-xpro/Makefile.include
index 06056fc46..427ba1fb7 100644
--- a/boards/samd21-xpro/Makefile.include
+++ b/boards/samd21-xpro/Makefile.include
@@ -2,4 +2,7 @@
 export CPU = samd21
 export CPU_MODEL = samd21j18a
 
+# set edbg device type
+EDBG_DEVICE_TYPE = atmel_cm0p
+
 include $(RIOTMAKE)/boards/sam0.inc.mk