diff --git a/ports/esp32/machine_uart.c b/ports/esp32/machine_uart.c
index 49ce78b1b2..28110e39f3 100644
--- a/ports/esp32/machine_uart.c
+++ b/ports/esp32/machine_uart.c
@@ -399,28 +399,19 @@ STATIC mp_obj_t machine_uart_sendbreak(mp_obj_t self_in) {
     machine_uart_obj_t *self = MP_OBJ_TO_PTR(self_in);
 
     // Save settings
-    uart_word_length_t word_length;
-    uart_parity_t parity;
-    uart_get_word_length(self->uart_num, &word_length);
-    uart_get_parity(self->uart_num, &parity);
+    uint32_t baudrate;
+    uart_get_baudrate(self->uart_num, &baudrate);
 
-    // Synthesise the break condition by either a longer word or using even parity
+    // Synthesise the break condition by reducing the baud rate,
+    // and cater for the worst case of 5 data bits, no parity.
     uart_wait_tx_done(self->uart_num, pdMS_TO_TICKS(1000));
-    if (word_length != UART_DATA_8_BITS) {
-        uart_set_word_length(self->uart_num, UART_DATA_8_BITS);
-    } else if (parity == UART_PARITY_DISABLE) {
-        uart_set_parity(self->uart_num, UART_PARITY_EVEN);
-    } else {
-        // Cannot synthesise break
-        mp_raise_OSError(MP_EPERM);
-    }
+    uart_set_baudrate(self->uart_num, baudrate * 6 / 15);
     char buf[1] = {0};
     uart_write_bytes(self->uart_num, buf, 1);
     uart_wait_tx_done(self->uart_num, pdMS_TO_TICKS(1000));
 
-    // Restore original settings
-    uart_set_word_length(self->uart_num, word_length);
-    uart_set_parity(self->uart_num, parity);
+    // Restore original setting
+    uart_set_baudrate(self->uart_num, baudrate);
 
     return mp_const_none;
 }