diff --git a/src/board/system76/common/common.mk b/src/board/system76/common/common.mk
index 7f271f2..9183d8c 100644
--- a/src/board/system76/common/common.mk
+++ b/src/board/system76/common/common.mk
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ console_internal:
 	sudo tool/target/release/system76_ectool console
 
 console_external:
-	test -c "$(PROGRAMMER)"
+	sudo test -c "$(PROGRAMMER)"
 	sleep 1 && echo C | sudo tee "$(PROGRAMMER)" &
 	sudo tio -b 1000000 -m INLCRNL -t "$(PROGRAMMER)"