diff --git a/platformio/util.py b/platformio/util.py
index 56e95d2f4e..45af8b125a 100644
--- a/platformio/util.py
+++ b/platformio/util.py
@@ -33,6 +33,10 @@
 
 # pylint: enable=unused-import
 
+# also export list_serial_ports as get_serialports to be
+# backward compatiblty with arduinosam versions 3.9.0 to 3.5.0 (and possibly others)
+get_serialports = get_serial_ports
+
 
 class memoized(object):
     def __init__(self, expire=0):