diff --git a/firmware/controllers/flash_main.cpp b/firmware/controllers/flash_main.cpp
index 5fc9397398..c079461962 100644
--- a/firmware/controllers/flash_main.cpp
+++ b/firmware/controllers/flash_main.cpp
@@ -135,7 +135,8 @@ persisted_configuration_state_e readConfiguration(Logging * logger) {
 	}
 
 	if (result == CRC_FAILED) {
-		firmwareError(CUSTOM_ERR_FLASH_CRC_FAILED, "flash CRC failed");
+	    // we are here on first boot on brand new chip
+		warning(CUSTOM_ERR_FLASH_CRC_FAILED, "flash CRC failed");
 		resetConfigurationExt(logger, DEFAULT_ENGINE_TYPE PASS_ENGINE_PARAMETER_SUFFIX);
 	} else if (result == INCOMPATIBLE_VERSION) {
 		resetConfigurationExt(logger, engineConfiguration->engineType PASS_ENGINE_PARAMETER_SUFFIX);