diff --git a/boot/zephyr/pm.yml b/boot/zephyr/pm.yml
index 125b8813c..c54744a58 100644
--- a/boot/zephyr/pm.yml
+++ b/boot/zephyr/pm.yml
@@ -64,8 +64,8 @@ mcuboot_scratch:
 # Padding placed before image to boot. This reserves space for the MCUboot image header
 # and it ensures that the boot image gets linked with the correct address offset in flash.
 mcuboot_pad:
-    # MCUboot pad must be placed before the primary application partition.
-    # The primary application partition includes the secure firmware if present.
+  # MCUboot pad must be placed before the primary application partition.
+  # The primary application partition includes the secure firmware if present.
   size: CONFIG_PM_PARTITION_SIZE_MCUBOOT_PAD
   placement:
     before: [mcuboot_primary_app]
@@ -81,7 +81,12 @@ mcuboot_primary_1:
 
 #if (CONFIG_NRF53_MULTI_IMAGE_UPDATE)
 mcuboot_secondary_1:
+#if (CONFIG_PM_EXTERNAL_FLASH_MCUBOOT_SECONDARY_1)
   region: external_flash
+#endif /* CONFIG_PM_EXTERNAL_FLASH_MCUBOOT_SECONDARY_1 */
   size: CONFIG_NRF53_RAM_FLASH_SIZE
+  placement:
+    after: mcuboot_secondary
+    align: {start: 4}
 
 #endif /* CONFIG_NRF53_MULTI_IMAGE_UPDATE */