diff --git a/src/mesh/wifi/WiFiAPClient.cpp b/src/mesh/wifi/WiFiAPClient.cpp
index f0ea7a277..6cd6f387e 100644
--- a/src/mesh/wifi/WiFiAPClient.cpp
+++ b/src/mesh/wifi/WiFiAPClient.cpp
@@ -74,13 +74,21 @@ bool initEthernet()
     if (config.network.eth_enabled) {
         WiFi.onEvent(WiFiEvent);
 #if defined(USE_WS5500)
-        ETH.begin(ETH_PHY_W5500, 1, ETH_CS_PIN, ETH_INT_PIN, ETH_RST_PIN, SPI3_HOST,
-                  ETH_SCLK_PIN, ETH_MISO_PIN, ETH_MOSI_PIN);
+        if (!ETH.begin(ETH_PHY_W5500, 1, ETH_CS_PIN, ETH_INT_PIN, ETH_RST_PIN, SPI3_HOST,
+                       ETH_SCLK_PIN, ETH_MISO_PIN, ETH_MOSI_PIN)) {
+            LOG_ERROR("ETH.begin() failed for WS5500");
+            return false;
+        }
 #endif
 #if defined(USE_ESP32_RMIIPHY)
         ETH.begin(ESP32_RMIIPHY_ADDR, ESP32_RMIIPHY_PWR,
                   ESP32_RMIIPHY_MDC,  ESP32_RMIIPHY_MDIO,
-                  ESP32_RMIIPHY_TYPE, ESP32_RMIIPHY_CLKTYPE);
+        if (!ETH.begin(ESP32_RMIIPHY_ADDR, ESP32_RMIIPHY_PWR,
+                       ESP32_RMIIPHY_MDC,  ESP32_RMIIPHY_MDIO,
+                       ESP32_RMIIPHY_TYPE, ESP32_RMIIPHY_CLKTYPE)) {
+            LOG_ERROR("ETH.begin() failed for ESP32 RMII PHY");
+            return false;
+        }
 #endif
        
 #if !MESHTASTIC_EXCLUDE_WEBSERVER