diff --git a/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/CUAV_GPS/hwdef.dat b/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/CUAV_GPS/hwdef.dat
index 901201b61a..a5c0225d4b 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/CUAV_GPS/hwdef.dat
+++ b/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/CUAV_GPS/hwdef.dat
@@ -165,3 +165,6 @@ define HAL_PERIPH_ENABLE_BUZZER
 define HAL_PERIPH_NEOPIXEL_COUNT 8
 define HAL_PERIPH_NEOPIXEL_CHAN 0
 define AP_PERIPH_LED_BRIGHT_DEFAULT 50
+
+# use the app descriptor needed by MissionPlanner for CAN upload
+env APP_DESCRIPTOR MissionPlanner
diff --git a/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/ZubaxGNSS/hwdef.dat b/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/ZubaxGNSS/hwdef.dat
index f3484cc849..1eae1646db 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/ZubaxGNSS/hwdef.dat
+++ b/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/ZubaxGNSS/hwdef.dat
@@ -29,6 +29,9 @@ define CH_CFG_ST_FREQUENCY 1000
 
 FLASH_SIZE_KB 256
 
+# use the app descriptor needed by MissionPlanner for CAN upload
+env APP_DESCRIPTOR MissionPlanner
+
 # reserve space for params
 FLASH_RESERVE_END_KB 2
 
diff --git a/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/f103-periph/hwdef.dat b/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/f103-periph/hwdef.dat
index 0a6bfb2a16..ec186d0364 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/f103-periph/hwdef.dat
+++ b/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/f103-periph/hwdef.dat
@@ -139,3 +139,6 @@ define HAL_I2C_INTERNAL_MASK 0
 define GPS_MAX_RECEIVERS 1
 define GPS_MAX_INSTANCES 1
 define HAL_COMPASS_MAX_SENSORS 1
+
+# use the app descriptor needed by MissionPlanner for CAN upload
+env APP_DESCRIPTOR MissionPlanner