diff --git a/esp8266/Makefile b/esp8266/Makefile
index 00826cfe46..6ad7117f13 100644
--- a/esp8266/Makefile
+++ b/esp8266/Makefile
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ include ../py/mkenv.mk
 QSTR_DEFS = qstrdefsport.h #$(BUILD)/pins_qstr.h
 
 MICROPY_PY_USSL = 1
+MICROPY_SSL_AXTLS = 1
 
 # include py core make definitions
 include ../py/py.mk