diff --git a/dist/tools/desvirt/Makefile.desvirt b/dist/tools/desvirt/Makefile.desvirt
index 5ce6bfe42e..b96dc8439e 100644
--- a/dist/tools/desvirt/Makefile.desvirt
+++ b/dist/tools/desvirt/Makefile.desvirt
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 TOOL_NAME=desvirt
 TOOL_URL=https://github.com/des-testbed/desvirt.git
 TOOL_VERSION=master
-TOOL_DIR=$(RIOTBASE)/dist/tools/$(TOOL_NAME)/$(TOOL_NAME)
+TOOL_DIR=$(RIOTTOOLS)/$(TOOL_NAME)/$(TOOL_NAME)
 
 .PHONY: desvirt-check desvirt-check-topo-file desvirt-check-topo-args desvirt-clean \
         desvirt-distclean desvirt-define desvirt-undefine desvirt-start desvirt-stop desvirt-list