diff --git a/Tools/ardupilotwaf/boards.py b/Tools/ardupilotwaf/boards.py
index 621f0b2a7c..b1515fbc96 100644
--- a/Tools/ardupilotwaf/boards.py
+++ b/Tools/ardupilotwaf/boards.py
@@ -141,6 +141,10 @@ class Board:
                 '-O0',
             ]
 
+        if cfg.options.bootloader:
+            # don't let bootloaders try and pull scripting in
+            cfg.options.disable_scripting = True
+
         if cfg.options.enable_math_check_indexes:
             env.CXXFLAGS += ['-DMATH_CHECK_INDEXES']