diff --git a/src/Kconfig b/src/Kconfig
index 08a57c16..b6a7c1d1 100644
--- a/src/Kconfig
+++ b/src/Kconfig
@@ -44,6 +44,8 @@ source "src/simulator/Kconfig"
 # Generic configuration options for serial ports
 config SERIAL
     bool
+config SERIAL_BOOTLOADER_SIDECHANNEL
+    bool
 config SERIAL_BAUD
     depends on SERIAL
     int "Baud rate for serial port" if LOW_LEVEL_OPTIONS
diff --git a/src/generic/serial_irq.c b/src/generic/serial_irq.c
index c2b23864..434a98bb 100644
--- a/src/generic/serial_irq.c
+++ b/src/generic/serial_irq.c
@@ -79,6 +79,9 @@ console_task(void)
     if (ret > 0)
         command_dispatch(receive_buf, pop_count);
     if (ret) {
+        if (CONFIG_SERIAL_BOOTLOADER_SIDECHANNEL && ret < 0 && pop_count == 32
+            && !memcmp(receive_buf, " \x1c Request Serial Bootloader!! ~", 32))
+            bootloader_request();
         console_pop_input(pop_count);
         if (ret > 0)
             command_send_ack();
diff --git a/src/lpc176x/Kconfig b/src/lpc176x/Kconfig
index def71fb0..d20c4dec 100644
--- a/src/lpc176x/Kconfig
+++ b/src/lpc176x/Kconfig
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ config LPC_SELECT
     select HAVE_CHIPID
     select HAVE_GPIO_HARD_PWM
     select HAVE_STEPPER_BOTH_EDGE
+    select SERIAL_BOOTLOADER_SIDECHANNEL
 
 config BOARD_DIRECTORY
     string
diff --git a/src/stm32/Kconfig b/src/stm32/Kconfig
index 1634d8ad..96383ce3 100644
--- a/src/stm32/Kconfig
+++ b/src/stm32/Kconfig
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ config STM32_SELECT
     select HAVE_STRICT_TIMING
     select HAVE_CHIPID
     select HAVE_STEPPER_BOTH_EDGE
+    select SERIAL_BOOTLOADER_SIDECHANNEL
 
 config BOARD_DIRECTORY
     string