diff --git a/ports/stm32/mpconfigboard_common.h b/ports/stm32/mpconfigboard_common.h
index 0df35918be..ce9dbdb0af 100644
--- a/ports/stm32/mpconfigboard_common.h
+++ b/ports/stm32/mpconfigboard_common.h
@@ -47,6 +47,11 @@
 #define MICROPY_PY_PYB_LEGACY (1)
 #endif
 
+// Whether machine.bootloader() will enter the bootloader via reset, or direct jump.
+#ifndef MICROPY_HW_ENTER_BOOTLOADER_VIA_RESET
+#define MICROPY_HW_ENTER_BOOTLOADER_VIA_RESET (1)
+#endif
+
 // Whether to enable storage on the internal flash of the MCU
 #ifndef MICROPY_HW_ENABLE_INTERNAL_FLASH_STORAGE
 #define MICROPY_HW_ENABLE_INTERNAL_FLASH_STORAGE (1)
diff --git a/ports/stm32/powerctrl.c b/ports/stm32/powerctrl.c
index 573844063b..253f1056ca 100644
--- a/ports/stm32/powerctrl.c
+++ b/ports/stm32/powerctrl.c
@@ -66,9 +66,11 @@
 #define HAVE_PLL48 0
 #endif
 
+#if MICROPY_HW_ENTER_BOOTLOADER_VIA_RESET
 // Location in RAM of bootloader state (just after the top of the stack)
 extern uint32_t _estack[];
 #define BL_STATE ((uint32_t *)&_estack)
+#endif
 
 static inline void powerctrl_disable_hsi_if_unused(void) {
     #if !MICROPY_HW_CLK_USE_HSI && (defined(STM32F4) || defined(STM32F7) || defined(STM32H7))
@@ -78,32 +80,47 @@ static inline void powerctrl_disable_hsi_if_unused(void) {
 }
 
 NORETURN void powerctrl_mcu_reset(void) {
+    #if MICROPY_HW_ENTER_BOOTLOADER_VIA_RESET
     BL_STATE[1] = 1; // invalidate bootloader address
     #if __DCACHE_PRESENT == 1
     SCB_CleanDCache();
     #endif
+    #endif
     NVIC_SystemReset();
 }
 
+NORETURN static __attribute__((naked)) void branch_to_bootloader(uint32_t r0, uint32_t bl_addr) {
+    __asm volatile (
+        "ldr r2, [r1, #0]\n"    // get address of stack pointer
+        "msr msp, r2\n"         // get stack pointer
+        "ldr r2, [r1, #4]\n"    // get address of destination
+        "bx r2\n"               // branch to bootloader
+        );
+    MP_UNREACHABLE;
+}
+
 NORETURN void powerctrl_enter_bootloader(uint32_t r0, uint32_t bl_addr) {
+    #if MICROPY_HW_ENTER_BOOTLOADER_VIA_RESET
+
+    // Enter the bootloader via a reset, so everything is reset (including WDT).
+    // Upon reset powerctrl_check_enter_bootloader() will jump to the bootloader.
     BL_STATE[0] = r0;
     BL_STATE[1] = bl_addr;
     #if __DCACHE_PRESENT == 1
     SCB_CleanDCache();
     #endif
     NVIC_SystemReset();
-}
 
-static __attribute__((naked)) void branch_to_bootloader(uint32_t r0, uint32_t bl_addr) {
-    __asm volatile (
-        "ldr r2, [r1, #0]\n"    // get address of stack pointer
-        "msr msp, r2\n"         // get stack pointer
-        "ldr r2, [r1, #4]\n"    // get address of destination
-        "bx r2\n"               // branch to bootloader
-        );
+    #else
+
+    // Enter the bootloader via a direct jump.
+    branch_to_bootloader(r0, bl_addr);
+
+    #endif
 }
 
 void powerctrl_check_enter_bootloader(void) {
+    #if MICROPY_HW_ENTER_BOOTLOADER_VIA_RESET
     uint32_t bl_addr = BL_STATE[1];
     BL_STATE[1] = 1; // invalidate bootloader address
     if ((bl_addr & 0xfff) == 0 && (RCC->RCC_SR & RCC_SR_SFTRSTF)) {
@@ -115,6 +132,7 @@ void powerctrl_check_enter_bootloader(void) {
         uint32_t r0 = BL_STATE[0];
         branch_to_bootloader(r0, bl_addr);
     }
+    #endif
 }
 
 #if !defined(STM32F0) && !defined(STM32L0) && !defined(STM32WB)