diff --git a/tests/periph_i2c/Makefile b/tests/periph_i2c/Makefile
index bafa06c4a2..f2d1595375 100644
--- a/tests/periph_i2c/Makefile
+++ b/tests/periph_i2c/Makefile
@@ -12,4 +12,6 @@ USEMODULE += xtimer
 # avoid running Kconfig by default
 SHOULD_RUN_KCONFIG ?=
 
+EXTERNAL_BOARD_DIRS += $(CURDIR)/../external_board_dirs/esp-ci-boards
+
 include $(RIOTBASE)/Makefile.include