diff --git a/bootloader/imx233.c b/bootloader/imx233.c
index ebd67cea6c..79e5708bad 100644
--- a/bootloader/imx233.c
+++ b/bootloader/imx233.c
@@ -141,6 +141,11 @@ void main(uint32_t arg, uint32_t addr)
     system_init();
     kernel_init();
 
+    /* some ixm233 targets needs this because the cpu and/or memory is clocked
+     * at 24MHz, resulting in terribly slow boots and unusable usb mode.
+     * While we are at it, clock at maximum speed to minimise boot time. */
+    imx233_set_cpu_frequency(CPUFREQ_MAX);
+
     power_init();
     enable_irq();
 
diff --git a/firmware/target/arm/imx233/system-imx233.c b/firmware/target/arm/imx233/system-imx233.c
index 3f751a8aa5..44d6f0e7ad 100644
--- a/firmware/target/arm/imx233/system-imx233.c
+++ b/firmware/target/arm/imx233/system-imx233.c
@@ -192,7 +192,6 @@ void imx233_digctl_set_arm_cache_timings(unsigned timings)
 #endif
 }
 
-#ifdef HAVE_ADJUSTABLE_CPU_FREQ
 struct cpufreq_profile_t
 {
     /* key */
@@ -219,7 +218,7 @@ static struct cpufreq_profile_t cpu_profiles[] =
 
 #define NR_CPU_PROFILES ((int)(sizeof(cpu_profiles)/sizeof(cpu_profiles[0])))
 
-void set_cpu_frequency(long frequency)
+void imx233_set_cpu_frequency(long frequency)
 {
     /* don't change the frequency if it is useless (changes are expensive) */
     if(cpu_frequency == frequency)
@@ -277,6 +276,12 @@ void set_cpu_frequency(long frequency)
     /* update frequency */
     cpu_frequency = frequency;
 }
+
+#ifdef HAVE_ADJUSTABLE_CPU_FREQ
+void set_cpu_frequency(long frequency)
+{
+    return imx233_set_cpu_frequency(frequency);
+}
 #endif
 
 void imx233_enable_usb_controller(bool enable)
diff --git a/firmware/target/arm/imx233/system-target.h b/firmware/target/arm/imx233/system-target.h
index 407369af7e..33e8f12265 100644
--- a/firmware/target/arm/imx233/system-target.h
+++ b/firmware/target/arm/imx233/system-target.h
@@ -53,6 +53,8 @@ void imx233_reset_block(volatile uint32_t *block_reg);
 void power_off(void);
 void imx233_enable_usb_controller(bool enable);
 void imx233_enable_usb_phy(bool enable);
+// NOTE: this is available even if HAVE_ADJUSTABLE_CPU_FREQ is undef
+void imx233_set_cpu_frequency(long frequency);
 
 void udelay(unsigned usecs);