diff --git a/platform.json b/platform.json
index c035866..d7598ed 100644
--- a/platform.json
+++ b/platform.json
@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@
     }, 
     "tool-mbctool": {
       "type": "uploader",
+      "optional": true,
       "version": ">=2.0.0"
     },
     "tool-openocd-esp32": {
diff --git a/platform.py b/platform.py
index 5a6f400..695fb6f 100644
--- a/platform.py
+++ b/platform.py
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ class Espressif32Platform(PlatformBase):
         if build_core == "mbcwb":
             self.packages['framework-arduinoespressif32']['optional'] = True
             self.packages['framework-arduino-mbcwb']['optional'] = False
+            self.packages['tool-mbctool']['optional'] = False
 
         return PlatformBase.configure_default_packages(self, variables,
                                                        targets)