diff --git a/testing/esp/debug_backend_tests.py b/testing/esp/debug_backend_tests.py
index 61529beb1b..67df35ddd1 100644
--- a/testing/esp/debug_backend_tests.py
+++ b/testing/esp/debug_backend_tests.py
@@ -541,7 +541,7 @@ def prepare_app_for_debugging(self, app_flash_off):
         # TODO: chip dependent
         self.oocd.set_appimage_offset(app_flash_off)
         self.gdb.connect()
-        bp = self.gdb.add_bp(self.test_app_cfg.entry_point)
+        bp = self.gdb.add_bp(self.test_app_cfg.entry_point, hw=True)
         self.resume_exec()
         rsn = self.gdb.wait_target_state(dbg.TARGET_STATE_STOPPED, 10)
         # workarounds for strange debugger's behaviour
diff --git a/testing/esp/test_nuttx.py b/testing/esp/test_nuttx.py
index 324adc6e56..2ac07550bc 100644
--- a/testing/esp/test_nuttx.py
+++ b/testing/esp/test_nuttx.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ def test_threads_backtraces(self):
         NAME_START = 6
         NAME_LEN = 15
         tasks_level = [3, 4, 5]
-        self.add_bp('threadsbt')
+        self.add_bp('threadsbt', hw=True)
         self.run_to_bp(dbg.TARGET_STOP_REASON_BP, 'threadsbt', tmo=120)
         _,threads_info = self.gdb.get_thread_info()
         for ti in threads_info: