diff --git a/builddefs/build_keyboard.mk b/builddefs/build_keyboard.mk
index fe95dcaf15b..65bc0451f7c 100644
--- a/builddefs/build_keyboard.mk
+++ b/builddefs/build_keyboard.mk
@@ -428,7 +428,6 @@ include $(BUILDDEFS_PATH)/common_features.mk
 include $(BUILDDEFS_PATH)/generic_features.mk
 include $(TMK_PATH)/protocol.mk
 include $(PLATFORM_PATH)/common.mk
-include $(BUILDDEFS_PATH)/bootloader.mk
 
 SRC += $(patsubst %.c,%.clib,$(LIB_SRC))
 SRC += $(patsubst %.c,%.clib,$(QUANTUM_LIB_SRC))
@@ -443,6 +442,7 @@ ifneq ($(REQUIRE_PLATFORM_KEY),)
     endif
 endif
 
+-include $(PLATFORM_PATH)/$(PLATFORM_KEY)/bootloader.mk
 include $(PLATFORM_PATH)/$(PLATFORM_KEY)/platform.mk
 -include $(PLATFORM_PATH)/$(PLATFORM_KEY)/flash.mk
 
diff --git a/keyboards/handwired/pytest/basic/rules.mk b/keyboards/handwired/pytest/basic/rules.mk
index 6b42774dbff..e69de29bb2d 100644
--- a/keyboards/handwired/pytest/basic/rules.mk
+++ b/keyboards/handwired/pytest/basic/rules.mk
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-MCU = atmega32u4
diff --git a/keyboards/handwired/pytest/has_community/rules.mk b/keyboards/handwired/pytest/has_community/rules.mk
index 4161649cbca..051634b3a45 100644
--- a/keyboards/handwired/pytest/has_community/rules.mk
+++ b/keyboards/handwired/pytest/has_community/rules.mk
@@ -1,3 +1 @@
-MCU = atmega32u4
-
 LAYOUTS = ortho_1x1
diff --git a/keyboards/handwired/pytest/has_template/rules.mk b/keyboards/handwired/pytest/has_template/rules.mk
index 6b42774dbff..e69de29bb2d 100644
--- a/keyboards/handwired/pytest/has_template/rules.mk
+++ b/keyboards/handwired/pytest/has_template/rules.mk
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-MCU = atmega32u4
diff --git a/keyboards/handwired/pytest/info.json b/keyboards/handwired/pytest/info.json
index 331472762c2..2ba7d34d523 100644
--- a/keyboards/handwired/pytest/info.json
+++ b/keyboards/handwired/pytest/info.json
@@ -6,5 +6,7 @@
         "vid": "0xFEED",
         "pid": "0x6465",
         "device_version": "0.0.1"
-    }
+    },
+    "processor": "atmega32u4",
+    "bootloader": "atmel-dfu"
 }
diff --git a/keyboards/handwired/pytest/macro/rules.mk b/keyboards/handwired/pytest/macro/rules.mk
index 6b42774dbff..e69de29bb2d 100644
--- a/keyboards/handwired/pytest/macro/rules.mk
+++ b/keyboards/handwired/pytest/macro/rules.mk
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-MCU = atmega32u4
diff --git a/lib/python/qmk/info.py b/lib/python/qmk/info.py
index e0a46e7ed1a..637a27b7640 100644
--- a/lib/python/qmk/info.py
+++ b/lib/python/qmk/info.py
@@ -755,9 +755,6 @@ def arm_processor_rules(info_data, rules):
     info_data['processor_type'] = 'arm'
     info_data['protocol'] = 'ChibiOS'
 
-    if 'bootloader' not in info_data:
-        info_data['bootloader'] = 'unknown'
-
     if 'STM32' in info_data['processor']:
         info_data['platform'] = 'STM32'
     elif 'MCU_SERIES' in rules:
@@ -775,9 +772,6 @@ def avr_processor_rules(info_data, rules):
     info_data['platform'] = rules['ARCH'] if 'ARCH' in rules else 'unknown'
     info_data['protocol'] = 'V-USB' if rules.get('MCU') in VUSB_PROCESSORS else 'LUFA'
 
-    if 'bootloader' not in info_data:
-        info_data['bootloader'] = 'atmel-dfu'
-
     # FIXME(fauxpark/anyone): Eventually we should detect the protocol by looking at PROTOCOL inherited from mcu_selection.mk:
     # info_data['protocol'] = 'V-USB' if rules.get('PROTOCOL') == 'VUSB' else 'LUFA'
 
diff --git a/lib/python/qmk/keymap.py b/lib/python/qmk/keymap.py
index f317f4d11e7..fc1421962f9 100644
--- a/lib/python/qmk/keymap.py
+++ b/lib/python/qmk/keymap.py
@@ -412,7 +412,7 @@ def list_keymaps(keyboard, c=True, json=True, additional_files=None, fullpath=Fa
     rules = rules_mk(keyboard)
     names = set()
 
-    if rules:
+    if rules is not None:
         keyboards_dir = Path('keyboards')
         kb_path = keyboards_dir / keyboard
 
diff --git a/platforms/arm_atsam/bootloader.mk b/platforms/arm_atsam/bootloader.mk
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..1ec42edeb68
--- /dev/null
+++ b/platforms/arm_atsam/bootloader.mk
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+# Copyright 2017 Jack Humbert
+#
+# This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 2 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
+#
+# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+# If it's possible that multiple bootloaders can be used for one project,
+# you can leave this unset, and the correct size will be selected
+# automatically.
+#
+# Sets the bootloader defined in the keyboard's/keymap's rules.mk
+#
+# Current options for ARM (ATSAM):
+#     md-boot      Atmel SAM-BA (only used by Drop boards)
+#
+# If you need to provide your own implementation, you can set inside `rules.mk`
+# `BOOTLOADER = custom` -- you'll need to provide your own implementations. See
+# the respective file under `platforms/<PLATFORM>/bootloaders/custom.c` to see
+# which functions may be overridden.
+
+ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), custom)
+    OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_CUSTOM
+    BOOTLOADER_TYPE = custom
+endif
+
+ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), md-boot)
+    OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_MD_BOOT
+    BOOTLOADER_TYPE = md_boot
+endif
+
+ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER_TYPE)),)
+    ifneq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)),)
+        $(call CATASTROPHIC_ERROR,Invalid BOOTLOADER,Invalid bootloader specified. Please set an appropriate bootloader in your rules.mk or info.json.)
+    else
+        $(call CATASTROPHIC_ERROR,Invalid BOOTLOADER,No bootloader specified. Please set an appropriate bootloader in your rules.mk or info.json.)
+    endif
+endif
diff --git a/builddefs/bootloader.mk b/platforms/avr/bootloader.mk
similarity index 62%
rename from builddefs/bootloader.mk
rename to platforms/avr/bootloader.mk
index 31004cab98a..63fe635d96a 100644
--- a/builddefs/bootloader.mk
+++ b/platforms/avr/bootloader.mk
@@ -18,9 +18,8 @@
 # automatically.
 #
 # Sets the bootloader defined in the keyboard's/keymap's rules.mk
-# Current options:
 #
-# AVR:
+# Current options for AVR:
 #     halfkay      PJRC Teensy
 #     caterina     Pro Micro (Sparkfun/generic)
 #     atmel-dfu    Atmel factory DFU
@@ -29,14 +28,6 @@
 #     qmk-hid      QMK HID (LUFA + blinkenlight)
 #     bootloadhid  HIDBootFlash compatible (ATmega32A)
 #     usbasploader USBaspLoader (ATmega328P)
-# ARM:
-#     halfkay      PJRC Teensy
-#     kiibohd      Input:Club Kiibohd bootloader (only used on their boards)
-#     stm32duino   STM32Duino (STM32F103x8)
-#     stm32-dfu    STM32 USB DFU in ROM
-#     apm32-dfu    APM32 USB DFU in ROM
-# RISC-V:
-#     gd32v-dfu    GD32V USB DFU in ROM
 #
 # If you need to provide your own implementation, you can set inside `rules.mk`
 # `BOOTLOADER = custom` -- you'll need to provide your own implementations. See
@@ -50,6 +41,7 @@ ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), custom)
     OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_CUSTOM
     BOOTLOADER_TYPE = custom
 endif
+
 ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), atmel-dfu)
     OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_ATMEL_DFU
     OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_DFU
@@ -105,10 +97,6 @@ ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), halfkay)
     ifeq ($(strip $(MCU)), at90usb1286)
         BOOTLOADER_SIZE = 1024
     endif
-    # Teensy LC, 3.0, 3.1/2, 3.5, 3.6
-    ifneq (,$(filter $(MCU_ORIG), MKL26Z64 MK20DX128 MK20DX256 MK64FX512 MK66FX1M0))
-        FIRMWARE_FORMAT = hex
-    endif
 endif
 ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), caterina)
     OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_CATERINA
@@ -147,77 +135,10 @@ ifdef BOOTLOADER_SIZE
     OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_SIZE=$(strip $(BOOTLOADER_SIZE))
 endif
 
-ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), stm32-dfu)
-    OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_STM32_DFU
-    BOOTLOADER_TYPE = stm32_dfu
-
-    # Options to pass to dfu-util when flashing
-    DFU_ARGS ?= -d 0483:DF11 -a 0 -s 0x08000000:leave
-    DFU_SUFFIX_ARGS ?= -v 0483 -p DF11
-endif
-ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), apm32-dfu)
-    OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_APM32_DFU
-    BOOTLOADER_TYPE = stm32_dfu
-
-    # Options to pass to dfu-util when flashing
-    DFU_ARGS ?= -d 314B:0106 -a 0 -s 0x08000000:leave
-    DFU_SUFFIX_ARGS ?= -v 314B -p 0106
-endif
-ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), gd32v-dfu)
-    OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_GD32V_DFU
-    BOOTLOADER_TYPE = gd32v_dfu
-
-    # Options to pass to dfu-util when flashing
-    DFU_ARGS ?= -d 28E9:0189 -a 0 -s 0x08000000:leave
-    DFU_SUFFIX_ARGS ?= -v 28E9 -p 0189
-endif
-ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), kiibohd)
-    OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_KIIBOHD
-    BOOTLOADER_TYPE = kiibohd
-
-    ifeq ($(strip $(MCU_ORIG)), MK20DX128)
-        MCU_LDSCRIPT = MK20DX128BLDR4
-    endif
-    ifeq ($(strip $(MCU_ORIG)), MK20DX256)
-        MCU_LDSCRIPT = MK20DX256BLDR8
-    endif
-
-    # Options to pass to dfu-util when flashing
-    DFU_ARGS = -d 1C11:B007
-    DFU_SUFFIX_ARGS = -v 1C11 -p B007
-endif
-ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), stm32duino)
-    OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_STM32DUINO
-    MCU_LDSCRIPT = STM32F103x8_stm32duino_bootloader
-    BOARD = STM32_F103_STM32DUINO
-    BOOTLOADER_TYPE = stm32duino
-
-    # Options to pass to dfu-util when flashing
-    DFU_ARGS = -d 1EAF:0003 -a 2 -R
-    DFU_SUFFIX_ARGS = -v 1EAF -p 0003
-endif
-ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), tinyuf2)
-    OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_TINYUF2
-    BOOTLOADER_TYPE = tinyuf2
-    FIRMWARE_FORMAT = uf2
-endif
-ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), rp2040)
-    OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_RP2040
-    BOOTLOADER_TYPE = rp2040
-endif
-ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), halfkay)
-    OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_HALFKAY
-    BOOTLOADER_TYPE = halfkay
-endif
-ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), md-boot)
-    OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_MD_BOOT
-    BOOTLOADER_TYPE = md_boot
-endif
-ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), wb32-dfu)
-    OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_WB32_DFU
-    BOOTLOADER_TYPE = wb32_dfu
-endif
-
 ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER_TYPE)),)
-    $(call CATASTROPHIC_ERROR,Invalid BOOTLOADER,No bootloader specified. Please set an appropriate 'BOOTLOADER' in your keyboard's 'rules.mk' file.)
+    ifneq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)),)
+        $(call CATASTROPHIC_ERROR,Invalid BOOTLOADER,Invalid bootloader specified. Please set an appropriate bootloader in your rules.mk or info.json.)
+    else
+        $(call CATASTROPHIC_ERROR,Invalid BOOTLOADER,No bootloader specified. Please set an appropriate bootloader in your rules.mk or info.json.)
+    endif
 endif
diff --git a/platforms/chibios/bootloader.mk b/platforms/chibios/bootloader.mk
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..0568d353219
--- /dev/null
+++ b/platforms/chibios/bootloader.mk
@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+# Copyright 2017 Jack Humbert
+#
+# This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 2 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
+#
+# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+# If it's possible that multiple bootloaders can be used for one project,
+# you can leave this unset, and the correct size will be selected
+# automatically.
+#
+# Sets the bootloader defined in the keyboard's/keymap's rules.mk
+#
+# Current options for ARM:
+#     halfkay      PJRC Teensy
+#     kiibohd      Input:Club Kiibohd bootloader (only used on their boards)
+#     stm32duino   STM32Duino (STM32F103x8)
+#     stm32-dfu    STM32 USB DFU in ROM
+#     apm32-dfu    APM32 USB DFU in ROM
+#     wb32-dfu     WB32 USB DFU in ROM
+#     tinyuf2      TinyUF2
+#     rp2040       Raspberry Pi RP2040
+# Current options for RISC-V:
+#     gd32v-dfu    GD32V USB DFU in ROM
+#
+# If you need to provide your own implementation, you can set inside `rules.mk`
+# `BOOTLOADER = custom` -- you'll need to provide your own implementations. See
+# the respective file under `platforms/<PLATFORM>/bootloaders/custom.c` to see
+# which functions may be overridden.
+
+ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), custom)
+    OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_CUSTOM
+    BOOTLOADER_TYPE = custom
+endif
+
+ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), halfkay)
+    OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_HALFKAY
+    BOOTLOADER_TYPE = halfkay
+
+    # Teensy LC, 3.0, 3.1/2, 3.5, 3.6
+    ifneq (,$(filter $(MCU_ORIG), MKL26Z64 MK20DX128 MK20DX256 MK64FX512 MK66FX1M0))
+        FIRMWARE_FORMAT = hex
+    endif
+endif
+ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), stm32-dfu)
+    OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_STM32_DFU
+    BOOTLOADER_TYPE = stm32_dfu
+
+    # Options to pass to dfu-util when flashing
+    DFU_ARGS ?= -d 0483:DF11 -a 0 -s 0x08000000:leave
+    DFU_SUFFIX_ARGS ?= -v 0483 -p DF11
+endif
+ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), apm32-dfu)
+    OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_APM32_DFU
+    BOOTLOADER_TYPE = stm32_dfu
+
+    # Options to pass to dfu-util when flashing
+    DFU_ARGS ?= -d 314B:0106 -a 0 -s 0x08000000:leave
+    DFU_SUFFIX_ARGS ?= -v 314B -p 0106
+endif
+ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), gd32v-dfu)
+    OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_GD32V_DFU
+    BOOTLOADER_TYPE = gd32v_dfu
+
+    # Options to pass to dfu-util when flashing
+    DFU_ARGS ?= -d 28E9:0189 -a 0 -s 0x08000000:leave
+    DFU_SUFFIX_ARGS ?= -v 28E9 -p 0189
+endif
+ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), kiibohd)
+    OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_KIIBOHD
+    BOOTLOADER_TYPE = kiibohd
+
+    ifeq ($(strip $(MCU_ORIG)), MK20DX128)
+        MCU_LDSCRIPT = MK20DX128BLDR4
+    endif
+    ifeq ($(strip $(MCU_ORIG)), MK20DX256)
+        MCU_LDSCRIPT = MK20DX256BLDR8
+    endif
+
+    # Options to pass to dfu-util when flashing
+    DFU_ARGS = -d 1C11:B007
+    DFU_SUFFIX_ARGS = -v 1C11 -p B007
+endif
+ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), stm32duino)
+    OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_STM32DUINO
+    MCU_LDSCRIPT = STM32F103x8_stm32duino_bootloader
+    BOARD = STM32_F103_STM32DUINO
+    BOOTLOADER_TYPE = stm32duino
+
+    # Options to pass to dfu-util when flashing
+    DFU_ARGS = -d 1EAF:0003 -a 2 -R
+    DFU_SUFFIX_ARGS = -v 1EAF -p 0003
+endif
+ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), tinyuf2)
+    OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_TINYUF2
+    BOOTLOADER_TYPE = tinyuf2
+    FIRMWARE_FORMAT = uf2
+endif
+ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), rp2040)
+    OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_RP2040
+    BOOTLOADER_TYPE = rp2040
+endif
+ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)), wb32-dfu)
+    OPT_DEFS += -DBOOTLOADER_WB32_DFU
+    BOOTLOADER_TYPE = wb32_dfu
+endif
+
+ifeq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER_TYPE)),)
+    ifneq ($(strip $(BOOTLOADER)),)
+        $(call CATASTROPHIC_ERROR,Invalid BOOTLOADER,Invalid bootloader specified. Please set an appropriate bootloader in your rules.mk or info.json.)
+    else
+        $(call CATASTROPHIC_ERROR,Invalid BOOTLOADER,No bootloader specified. Please set an appropriate bootloader in your rules.mk or info.json.)
+    endif
+endif