diff --git a/boards/pba-d-01-kw2x/Makefile.include b/boards/pba-d-01-kw2x/Makefile.include
index a98603a903..913454e0bb 100644
--- a/boards/pba-d-01-kw2x/Makefile.include
+++ b/boards/pba-d-01-kw2x/Makefile.include
@@ -29,5 +29,9 @@ endif
 # setup serial terminal
 include $(RIOTMAKE)/tools/serial.inc.mk
 
+# The board can become un-flashable after some firmware, use connect_assert_srst
+# to always be able to flash or reset the board.
+export OPENOCD_RESET_USE_CONNECT_ASSERT_SRST ?= 1
+
 # this board uses openocd
 include $(RIOTMAKE)/tools/openocd.inc.mk
diff --git a/boards/pba-d-01-kw2x/dist/openocd.cfg b/boards/pba-d-01-kw2x/dist/openocd.cfg
index 2be4cdf156..94a7042127 100644
--- a/boards/pba-d-01-kw2x/dist/openocd.cfg
+++ b/boards/pba-d-01-kw2x/dist/openocd.cfg
@@ -1,2 +1,3 @@
 source [find target/kx.cfg]
+reset_config srst_only
 $_TARGETNAME configure -rtos auto