diff --git a/src/mesh/eth/ethClient.cpp b/src/mesh/eth/ethClient.cpp
index 3b4d716f5..fd24c9e16 100644
--- a/src/mesh/eth/ethClient.cpp
+++ b/src/mesh/eth/ethClient.cpp
@@ -66,8 +66,9 @@ static int32_t reconnectETH()
                 syslog.enable();
             }
 
-            // initWebServer();
+#if !MESHTASTIC_EXCLUDE_SOCKETAPI
             initApiServer();
+#endif
 
             ethStartupComplete = true;
         }
diff --git a/src/mesh/wifi/WiFiAPClient.cpp b/src/mesh/wifi/WiFiAPClient.cpp
index b3b51eb52..a43bf5a7c 100644
--- a/src/mesh/wifi/WiFiAPClient.cpp
+++ b/src/mesh/wifi/WiFiAPClient.cpp
@@ -106,7 +106,9 @@ static void onNetworkConnected()
 #if defined(ARCH_ESP32) && !MESHTASTIC_EXCLUDE_WEBSERVER
         initWebServer();
 #endif
+#if !MESHTASTIC_EXCLUDE_SOCKETAPI
         initApiServer();
+#endif
         APStartupComplete = true;
     }
 
diff --git a/variants/picomputer-s3/platformio.ini b/variants/picomputer-s3/platformio.ini
index 88a4552c3..05ae61c16 100644
--- a/variants/picomputer-s3/platformio.ini
+++ b/variants/picomputer-s3/platformio.ini
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ build_flags =
   -D MESHTASTIC_EXCLUDE_BLUETOOTH=1
   -D MESHTASTIC_EXCLUDE_WEBSERVER=1
   -D MESHTASTIC_EXCLUDE_SERIAL=1
+  -D MESHTASTIC_EXCLUDE_SOCKETAPI=1
   -D INPUTDRIVER_MATRIX_TYPE=1
   -D USE_PIN_BUZZER=PIN_BUZZER
   -D USE_SX127x
diff --git a/variants/seeed-sensecap-indicator/platformio.ini b/variants/seeed-sensecap-indicator/platformio.ini
index 726961dbf..c29e3d951 100644
--- a/variants/seeed-sensecap-indicator/platformio.ini
+++ b/variants/seeed-sensecap-indicator/platformio.ini
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ build_flags =
   -D MESHTASTIC_EXCLUDE_ENVIRONMENTAL_SENSOR=1
   -D MESHTASTIC_EXCLUDE_WEBSERVER=1
   -D MESHTASTIC_EXCLUDE_SERIAL=1
+  -D MESHTASTIC_EXCLUDE_SOCKETAPI=1
   -D INPUTDRIVER_BUTTON_TYPE=38
   -D HAS_TELEMETRY=0
   -D CONFIG_DISABLE_HAL_LOCKS=1
diff --git a/variants/t-deck/platformio.ini b/variants/t-deck/platformio.ini
index c43f7cafe..007f10a98 100644
--- a/variants/t-deck/platformio.ini
+++ b/variants/t-deck/platformio.ini
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ build_flags =
   -D MESHTASTIC_EXCLUDE_BLUETOOTH=1
   -D MESHTASTIC_EXCLUDE_WEBSERVER=1
   -D MESHTASTIC_EXCLUDE_SERIAL=1
+  -D MESHTASTIC_EXCLUDE_SOCKETAPI=1
   -D INPUTDRIVER_I2C_KBD_TYPE=0x55
   -D INPUTDRIVER_ENCODER_TYPE=3
   -D INPUTDRIVER_ENCODER_LEFT=1
diff --git a/variants/unphone/platformio.ini b/variants/unphone/platformio.ini
index 4beba6171..00740baaf 100644
--- a/variants/unphone/platformio.ini
+++ b/variants/unphone/platformio.ini
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ build_flags =
   -D MESHTASTIC_EXCLUDE_BLUETOOTH=1
   -D MESHTASTIC_EXCLUDE_WEBSERVER=1
   -D MESHTASTIC_EXCLUDE_SERIAL=1
+  -D MESHTASTIC_EXCLUDE_SOCKETAPI=1
   -D INPUTDRIVER_BUTTON_TYPE=21
   -D MAX_NUM_NODES=200
   -D MAX_THREADS=40