diff --git a/examples/gnrc_border_router/Makefile b/examples/gnrc_border_router/Makefile
index ce2b43887..61da82a7c 100644
--- a/examples/gnrc_border_router/Makefile
+++ b/examples/gnrc_border_router/Makefile
@@ -76,13 +76,18 @@ QUIET ?= 1
 TAP ?= tap0
 IPV6_PREFIX ?= 2001:db8::/64
 
+# We override the `make term` command to use ethos
+TERMPROG ?= sudo sh $(RIOTBASE)/dist/tools/ethos/start_network.sh
+TERMFLAGS ?= $(PORT) $(TAP) $(IPV6_PREFIX)
+
+# We depend on the ethos host tools to run the border router, we build them
+# if necessary
+TERMDEPS += host-tools
+
 include $(RIOTBASE)/Makefile.include
 
 .PHONY: host-tools
 
-term: host-tools
-	$(Q)sudo sh $(RIOTBASE)/dist/tools/ethos/start_network.sh $(PORT) $(TAP) $(IPV6_PREFIX)
-
 host-tools:
 	$(Q)env -u CC -u CFLAGS make -C $(RIOTBASE)/dist/tools