diff --git a/usermods/Animated_Staircase/Animated_Staircase.h b/usermods/Animated_Staircase/Animated_Staircase.h
index 1ef2c959..151cf1d4 100644
--- a/usermods/Animated_Staircase/Animated_Staircase.h
+++ b/usermods/Animated_Staircase/Animated_Staircase.h
@@ -92,12 +92,14 @@ class Animated_Staircase : public Usermod {
     static const char _bottomEchoCm[];
     
     void publishMqtt(bool bottom, const char* state) {
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
       //Check if MQTT Connected, otherwise it will crash the 8266
       if (WLED_MQTT_CONNECTED){
         char subuf[64];
         sprintf_P(subuf, PSTR("%s/motion/%d"), mqttDeviceTopic, (int)bottom);
         mqtt->publish(subuf, 0, false, state);
       }
+#endif
     }
 
     void updateSegments() {
@@ -345,6 +347,7 @@ class Animated_Staircase : public Usermod {
 
     uint16_t getId() { return USERMOD_ID_ANIMATED_STAIRCASE; }
 
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
     /**
      * handling of MQTT message
      * topic only contains stripped topic (part after /wled/MAC)
@@ -382,6 +385,7 @@ class Animated_Staircase : public Usermod {
         mqtt->subscribe(subuf, 0);
       }
     }
+#endif
 
     void addToJsonState(JsonObject& root) {
       JsonObject staircase = root[FPSTR(_name)];
diff --git a/usermods/BH1750_v2/usermod_bh1750.h b/usermods/BH1750_v2/usermod_bh1750.h
index a69e2751..b65332bc 100644
--- a/usermods/BH1750_v2/usermod_bh1750.h
+++ b/usermods/BH1750_v2/usermod_bh1750.h
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 // force the compiler to show a warning to confirm that this file is included
 #warning **** Included USERMOD_BH1750 ****
 
+#ifndef WLED_ENABLE_MQTT
+#error "This user mod requires MQTT to be enabled."
+#endif
+
 #pragma once
 
 #include "wled.h"
@@ -156,6 +160,7 @@ public:
     {
       lastLux = lux;
       lastSend = millis();
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
       if (WLED_MQTT_CONNECTED)
       {
         if (!mqttInitialized)
@@ -170,6 +175,7 @@ public:
       {
         DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Missing MQTT connection. Not publishing data"));
       }
+#endif
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/usermods/BME280_v2/usermod_bme280.h b/usermods/BME280_v2/usermod_bme280.h
index c27adfc8..e643e62b 100644
--- a/usermods/BME280_v2/usermod_bme280.h
+++ b/usermods/BME280_v2/usermod_bme280.h
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 // force the compiler to show a warning to confirm that this file is included
 #warning **** Included USERMOD_BME280 version 2.0 ****
 
+#ifndef WLED_ENABLE_MQTT
+#error "This user mod requires MQTT to be enabled."
+#endif
+
 #pragma once
 
 #include "wled.h"
diff --git a/usermods/Battery/usermod_v2_Battery.h b/usermods/Battery/usermod_v2_Battery.h
index ac34a7e4..2dc85424 100644
--- a/usermods/Battery/usermod_v2_Battery.h
+++ b/usermods/Battery/usermod_v2_Battery.h
@@ -224,6 +224,7 @@ class UsermodBattery : public Usermod
       if (autoOffEnabled && (autoOffThreshold >= batteryLevel))
         turnOff();
 
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
       // SmartHome stuff
       // still don't know much about MQTT and/or HA
       if (WLED_MQTT_CONNECTED) {
@@ -231,6 +232,7 @@ class UsermodBattery : public Usermod
         snprintf_P(buf, 63, PSTR("%s/voltage"), mqttDeviceTopic);
         mqtt->publish(buf, 0, false, String(voltage).c_str());
       }
+#endif
 
     }
 
diff --git a/usermods/DHT/usermod_dht.h b/usermods/DHT/usermod_dht.h
index 6253b85f..b6142f43 100644
--- a/usermods/DHT/usermod_dht.h
+++ b/usermods/DHT/usermod_dht.h
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 #pragma once
 
 #include "wled.h"
+#ifndef WLED_ENABLE_MQTT
+#error "This user mod requires MQTT to be enabled."
+#endif
+
 
 #include <dht_nonblocking.h>
 
diff --git a/usermods/Enclosure_with_OLED_temp_ESP07/usermod.cpp b/usermods/Enclosure_with_OLED_temp_ESP07/usermod.cpp
index 0a2662aa..1ca16050 100644
--- a/usermods/Enclosure_with_OLED_temp_ESP07/usermod.cpp
+++ b/usermods/Enclosure_with_OLED_temp_ESP07/usermod.cpp
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+#ifndef WLED_ENABLE_MQTT
+#error "This user mod requires MQTT to be enabled."
+#endif
+
 #include "wled.h"
 #include <Arduino.h>
 #include <U8x8lib.h> // from https://github.com/olikraus/u8g2/
diff --git a/usermods/Enclosure_with_OLED_temp_ESP07/usermod_bme280.cpp b/usermods/Enclosure_with_OLED_temp_ESP07/usermod_bme280.cpp
index 88d49790..d5fd4a0c 100644
--- a/usermods/Enclosure_with_OLED_temp_ESP07/usermod_bme280.cpp
+++ b/usermods/Enclosure_with_OLED_temp_ESP07/usermod_bme280.cpp
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+#ifndef WLED_ENABLE_MQTT
+#error "This user mod requires MQTT to be enabled."
+#endif
+
 #include "wled.h"
 #include <Arduino.h>
 #include <U8x8lib.h> // from https://github.com/olikraus/u8g2/
diff --git a/usermods/PIR_sensor_switch/usermod_PIR_sensor_switch.h b/usermods/PIR_sensor_switch/usermod_PIR_sensor_switch.h
index f4d69996..af81170a 100644
--- a/usermods/PIR_sensor_switch/usermod_PIR_sensor_switch.h
+++ b/usermods/PIR_sensor_switch/usermod_PIR_sensor_switch.h
@@ -159,6 +159,7 @@ private:
 
   void publishMqtt(const char* state)
   {
+  #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
     //Check if MQTT Connected, otherwise it will crash the 8266
     if (WLED_MQTT_CONNECTED) {
       char subuf[64];
@@ -166,11 +167,13 @@ private:
       strcat_P(subuf, PSTR("/motion"));
       mqtt->publish(subuf, 0, false, state);
     }
+  #endif
   }
 
   // Create an MQTT Binary Sensor for Home Assistant Discovery purposes, this includes a pointer to the topic that is published to in the Loop.
   void publishHomeAssistantAutodiscovery()
   {
+  #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
     if (WLED_MQTT_CONNECTED) {
       StaticJsonDocument<600> doc;
       char uid[24], json_str[1024], buf[128];
@@ -200,6 +203,7 @@ private:
 
       mqtt->publish(buf, 0, true, json_str, payload_size); // do we really need to retain?
     }
+  #endif
   }
 
   /**
diff --git a/usermods/SN_Photoresistor/usermod_sn_photoresistor.h b/usermods/SN_Photoresistor/usermod_sn_photoresistor.h
index 9c3be7cc..60861e4c 100644
--- a/usermods/SN_Photoresistor/usermod_sn_photoresistor.h
+++ b/usermods/SN_Photoresistor/usermod_sn_photoresistor.h
@@ -109,6 +109,7 @@ public:
     {
       lastLDRValue = currentLDRValue;
 
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
       if (WLED_MQTT_CONNECTED)
       {
         char subuf[45];
@@ -121,6 +122,7 @@ public:
         DEBUG_PRINTLN("Missing MQTT connection. Not publishing data");
       }
     }
+#endif
   }
 
   uint16_t getLastLDRValue()
diff --git a/usermods/Si7021_MQTT_HA/usermod_si7021_mqtt_ha.h b/usermods/Si7021_MQTT_HA/usermod_si7021_mqtt_ha.h
index 71c22da1..4a42a7d5 100644
--- a/usermods/Si7021_MQTT_HA/usermod_si7021_mqtt_ha.h
+++ b/usermods/Si7021_MQTT_HA/usermod_si7021_mqtt_ha.h
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+#ifndef WLED_ENABLE_MQTT
+#error "This user mod requires MQTT to be enabled."
+#endif
+
 #pragma once
 
 // this is remixed from usermod_v2_SensorsToMqtt.h (sensors_to_mqtt usermod)
diff --git a/usermods/Temperature/usermod_temperature.h b/usermods/Temperature/usermod_temperature.h
index a666639f..8950f928 100644
--- a/usermods/Temperature/usermod_temperature.h
+++ b/usermods/Temperature/usermod_temperature.h
@@ -134,6 +134,7 @@ class UsermodTemperature : public Usermod {
       return false;
     }
 
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
     void publishHomeAssistantAutodiscovery() {
       if (!WLED_MQTT_CONNECTED) return;
 
@@ -155,6 +156,7 @@ class UsermodTemperature : public Usermod {
       mqtt->publish(buf, 0, true, json_str, payload_size);
       HApublished = true;
     }
+#endif
 
   public:
 
@@ -212,6 +214,7 @@ class UsermodTemperature : public Usermod {
         }
         errorCount = 0;
 
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
         if (WLED_MQTT_CONNECTED) {
           char subuf[64];
           strcpy(subuf, mqttDeviceTopic);
@@ -227,6 +230,7 @@ class UsermodTemperature : public Usermod {
             // publish something else to indicate status?
           }
         }
+#endif
       }
     }
 
@@ -236,6 +240,7 @@ class UsermodTemperature : public Usermod {
      */
     //void connected() {}
 
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
     /**
      * subscribe to MQTT topic if needed
      */
@@ -246,6 +251,7 @@ class UsermodTemperature : public Usermod {
         publishHomeAssistantAutodiscovery();
       }
     }
+#endif
 
     /*
      * API calls te enable data exchange between WLED modules
diff --git a/usermods/Wemos_D1_mini+Wemos32_mini_shield/usermod.cpp b/usermods/Wemos_D1_mini+Wemos32_mini_shield/usermod.cpp
index c7eb8ee0..78cc32a8 100644
--- a/usermods/Wemos_D1_mini+Wemos32_mini_shield/usermod.cpp
+++ b/usermods/Wemos_D1_mini+Wemos32_mini_shield/usermod.cpp
@@ -101,6 +101,7 @@ void userLoop() {
   if (temptimer - lastMeasure > 60000) 
   {
     lastMeasure = temptimer;    
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
 //Check if MQTT Connected, otherwise it will crash the 8266
     if (mqtt != nullptr)
     {
@@ -116,6 +117,7 @@ void userLoop() {
         t += "/temperature";
         mqtt->publish(t.c_str(), 0, true, String(board_temperature).c_str());
     }
+  #endif
   }
 
   // Check if we time interval for redrawing passes.
diff --git a/usermods/Wemos_D1_mini+Wemos32_mini_shield/usermod_bme280.cpp b/usermods/Wemos_D1_mini+Wemos32_mini_shield/usermod_bme280.cpp
index 05d4e77a..c9d9a527 100644
--- a/usermods/Wemos_D1_mini+Wemos32_mini_shield/usermod_bme280.cpp
+++ b/usermods/Wemos_D1_mini+Wemos32_mini_shield/usermod_bme280.cpp
@@ -103,6 +103,7 @@ void userLoop() {
   {
     lastMeasure = tempTimer;    
 
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
 // Check if MQTT Connected, otherwise it will crash the 8266
     if (mqtt != nullptr)
     {
@@ -122,6 +123,7 @@ void userLoop() {
       h += "/humidity";
       mqtt->publish(h.c_str(), 0, true, String(board_humidity).c_str());
     }
+  #endif
   }
 
   // Check if we time interval for redrawing passes.
diff --git a/usermods/boblight/boblight.h b/usermods/boblight/boblight.h
index 263d8743..a1e25775 100644
--- a/usermods/boblight/boblight.h
+++ b/usermods/boblight/boblight.h
@@ -219,6 +219,7 @@ class BobLightUsermod : public Usermod {
 
     void enable(bool en) { enabled = en; }
     
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
     /**
      * handling of MQTT message
      * topic only contains stripped topic (part after /wled/MAC)
@@ -249,6 +250,7 @@ class BobLightUsermod : public Usermod {
       //  mqtt->subscribe(subuf, 0);
       //}
     }
+#endif
 
     void addToJsonInfo(JsonObject& root)
     {
diff --git a/usermods/multi_relay/usermod_multi_relay.h b/usermods/multi_relay/usermod_multi_relay.h
index 7381a00d..b8bd4f6e 100644
--- a/usermods/multi_relay/usermod_multi_relay.h
+++ b/usermods/multi_relay/usermod_multi_relay.h
@@ -66,12 +66,14 @@ class MultiRelay : public Usermod {
     static const char _HAautodiscovery[];
 
     void publishMqtt(int relay) {
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
       //Check if MQTT Connected, otherwise it will crash the 8266
       if (WLED_MQTT_CONNECTED){
         char subuf[64];
         sprintf_P(subuf, PSTR("%s/relay/%d"), mqttDeviceTopic, relay);
         mqtt->publish(subuf, 0, false, _relay[relay].state ? "on" : "off");
       }
+#endif
     }
 
     /**
@@ -232,6 +234,7 @@ class MultiRelay : public Usermod {
 
     //Functions called by WLED
 
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
     /**
      * handling of MQTT message
      * topic only contains stripped topic (part after /wled/MAC)
@@ -313,6 +316,7 @@ class MultiRelay : public Usermod {
         mqtt->publish(buf, 0, true, json_str, payload_size);
       }
     }
+#endif
 
     /**
      * setup() is called once at boot. WiFi is not yet connected at this point.
diff --git a/usermods/sensors_to_mqtt/usermod_v2_SensorsToMqtt.h b/usermods/sensors_to_mqtt/usermod_v2_SensorsToMqtt.h
index dd7aedc1..972e2c86 100644
--- a/usermods/sensors_to_mqtt/usermod_v2_SensorsToMqtt.h
+++ b/usermods/sensors_to_mqtt/usermod_v2_SensorsToMqtt.h
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+#ifndef WLED_ENABLE_MQTT
+#error "This user mod requires MQTT to be enabled."
+#endif
+
 #pragma once
 
 #include "wled.h"
diff --git a/usermods/seven_segment_display/usermod_v2_seven_segment_display.h b/usermods/seven_segment_display/usermod_v2_seven_segment_display.h
index 5c0022e0..e5b726e5 100644
--- a/usermods/seven_segment_display/usermod_v2_seven_segment_display.h
+++ b/usermods/seven_segment_display/usermod_v2_seven_segment_display.h
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+#ifndef WLED_ENABLE_MQTT
+#error "This user mod requires MQTT to be enabled."
+#endif
+
 #pragma once
 
 #include "wled.h"
diff --git a/usermods/seven_segment_display_reloaded/usermod_seven_segment_reloaded.h b/usermods/seven_segment_display_reloaded/usermod_seven_segment_reloaded.h
index b1a271a6..27977405 100644
--- a/usermods/seven_segment_display_reloaded/usermod_seven_segment_reloaded.h
+++ b/usermods/seven_segment_display_reloaded/usermod_seven_segment_reloaded.h
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+#ifndef WLED_ENABLE_MQTT
+#error "This user mod requires MQTT to be enabled."
+#endif
+
 #pragma once
 
 #include "wled.h"
diff --git a/usermods/sht/usermod_sht.h b/usermods/sht/usermod_sht.h
index 721cb7f0..4637d7a3 100644
--- a/usermods/sht/usermod_sht.h
+++ b/usermods/sht/usermod_sht.h
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+#ifndef WLED_ENABLE_MQTT
+#error "This user mod requires MQTT to be enabled."
+#endif
+
 #pragma once
 
 #include "SHT85.h"
diff --git a/usermods/smartnest/usermod_smartnest.h b/usermods/smartnest/usermod_smartnest.h
index 82673578..8d2b04ff 100644
--- a/usermods/smartnest/usermod_smartnest.h
+++ b/usermods/smartnest/usermod_smartnest.h
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+#ifndef WLED_ENABLE_MQTT
+#error "This user mod requires MQTT to be enabled."
+#endif
+
 #pragma once
 
 #include "wled.h"
diff --git a/wled00/button.cpp b/wled00/button.cpp
index 1be3e6df..fce21424 100644
--- a/wled00/button.cpp
+++ b/wled00/button.cpp
@@ -24,12 +24,14 @@ void shortPressAction(uint8_t b)
     applyPreset(macroButton[b], CALL_MODE_BUTTON_PRESET);
   }
 
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
   // publish MQTT message
   if (buttonPublishMqtt && WLED_MQTT_CONNECTED) {
     char subuf[64];
     sprintf_P(subuf, _mqtt_topic_button, mqttDeviceTopic, (int)b);
     mqtt->publish(subuf, 0, false, "short");
   }
+#endif
 }
 
 void longPressAction(uint8_t b)
@@ -43,12 +45,14 @@ void longPressAction(uint8_t b)
     applyPreset(macroLongPress[b], CALL_MODE_BUTTON_PRESET);
   }
 
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
   // publish MQTT message
   if (buttonPublishMqtt && WLED_MQTT_CONNECTED) {
     char subuf[64];
     sprintf_P(subuf, _mqtt_topic_button, mqttDeviceTopic, (int)b);
     mqtt->publish(subuf, 0, false, "long");
   }
+#endif
 }
 
 void doublePressAction(uint8_t b)
@@ -62,12 +66,14 @@ void doublePressAction(uint8_t b)
     applyPreset(macroDoublePress[b], CALL_MODE_BUTTON_PRESET);
   }
 
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
   // publish MQTT message
   if (buttonPublishMqtt && WLED_MQTT_CONNECTED) {
     char subuf[64];
     sprintf_P(subuf, _mqtt_topic_button, mqttDeviceTopic, (int)b);
     mqtt->publish(subuf, 0, false, "double");
   }
+#endif
 }
 
 bool isButtonPressed(uint8_t i)
@@ -119,6 +125,7 @@ void handleSwitch(uint8_t b)
       }
     }
 
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
     // publish MQTT message
     if (buttonPublishMqtt && WLED_MQTT_CONNECTED) {
       char subuf[64];
@@ -126,6 +133,7 @@ void handleSwitch(uint8_t b)
       else sprintf_P(subuf, _mqtt_topic_button, mqttDeviceTopic, (int)b);
       mqtt->publish(subuf, 0, false, !buttonPressedBefore[b] ? "off" : "on");
     }
+#endif
 
     buttonLongPressed[b] = buttonPressedBefore[b]; //save the last "long term" switch state
   }
diff --git a/wled00/fcn_declare.h b/wled00/fcn_declare.h
index 45989e58..1f7823a7 100644
--- a/wled00/fcn_declare.h
+++ b/wled00/fcn_declare.h
@@ -1,18 +1,17 @@
 #ifndef WLED_FCN_DECLARE_H
 #define WLED_FCN_DECLARE_H
-#include <Arduino.h>
-#include "src/dependencies/espalexa/EspalexaDevice.h"
-#include "src/dependencies/e131/ESPAsyncE131.h"
 
 /*
  * All globally accessible functions are declared here
  */
 
 //alexa.cpp
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_ALEXA
 void onAlexaChange(EspalexaDevice* dev);
 void alexaInit();
 void handleAlexa();
 void onAlexaChange(EspalexaDevice* dev);
+#endif
 
 //blynk.cpp
 #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_BLYNK
diff --git a/wled00/led.cpp b/wled00/led.cpp
index e9e108e4..3c878b35 100644
--- a/wled00/led.cpp
+++ b/wled00/led.cpp
@@ -180,7 +180,9 @@ void handleTransitions()
 {
   //handle still pending interface update
   if (interfaceUpdateCallMode && millis() - lastInterfaceUpdate > INTERFACE_UPDATE_COOLDOWN) updateInterfaces(interfaceUpdateCallMode);
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
   if (doPublishMqtt) publishMqtt();
+#endif
 
   if (transitionActive && transitionDelayTemp > 0)
   {
diff --git a/wled00/mqtt.cpp b/wled00/mqtt.cpp
index 1690341b..eca9fccf 100644
--- a/wled00/mqtt.cpp
+++ b/wled00/mqtt.cpp
@@ -177,8 +177,4 @@ bool initMqtt()
   mqtt->connect();
   return true;
 }
-
-#else
-bool initMqtt(){return false;}
-void publishMqtt(){}
 #endif
diff --git a/wled00/set.cpp b/wled00/set.cpp
index 85ed58ac..ad189f24 100644
--- a/wled00/set.cpp
+++ b/wled00/set.cpp
@@ -681,7 +681,9 @@ void handleSettingsSet(AsyncWebServerRequest *request, byte subPage)
 
   lastEditTime = millis();
   if (subPage != 2 && !doReboot) doSerializeConfig = true; //serializeConfig(); //do not save if factory reset or LED settings (which are saved after LED re-init)
+  #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_ALEXA
   if (subPage == 4) alexaInit();
+  #endif
 }
 
 
diff --git a/wled00/wled.cpp b/wled00/wled.cpp
index b78e9f6f..35894055 100644
--- a/wled00/wled.cpp
+++ b/wled00/wled.cpp
@@ -42,7 +42,9 @@ void WLED::loop()
   #endif
 
   handleTime();
+  #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_INFRARED
   handleIR();        // 2nd call to function needed for ESP32 to return valid results -- should be good for ESP8266, too
+  #endif
   handleConnection();
   handleSerial();
   handleNotifications();
@@ -64,7 +66,9 @@ void WLED::loop()
 
   yield();
   handleIO();
+  #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_INFRARED
   handleIR();
+  #endif
   #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_ALEXA
   handleAlexa();
   #endif
@@ -135,7 +139,9 @@ void WLED::loop()
   }
   if (millis() - lastMqttReconnectAttempt > 30000 || lastMqttReconnectAttempt == 0) { // lastMqttReconnectAttempt==0 forces immediate broadcast
     lastMqttReconnectAttempt = millis();
+    #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
     initMqtt();
+    #endif
     yield();
     // refresh WLED nodes list
     refreshNodeList();
@@ -414,8 +420,10 @@ void WLED::setup()
 
   // fill in unique mdns default
   if (strcmp(cmDNS, "x") == 0) sprintf_P(cmDNS, PSTR("wled-%*s"), 6, escapedMac.c_str() + 6);
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
   if (mqttDeviceTopic[0] == 0) sprintf_P(mqttDeviceTopic, PSTR("wled/%*s"), 6, escapedMac.c_str() + 6);
   if (mqttClientID[0] == 0)    sprintf_P(mqttClientID, PSTR("WLED-%*s"), 6, escapedMac.c_str() + 6);
+#endif
 
 #ifdef WLED_ENABLE_ADALIGHT
   if (Serial.available() > 0 && Serial.peek() == 'I') handleImprovPacket();
@@ -674,9 +682,11 @@ void WLED::initInterfaces()
   }
 #endif
 
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_ALEXA
   // init Alexa hue emulation
   if (alexaEnabled)
     alexaInit();
+#endif
 
 #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_OTA
   if (aOtaEnabled)
@@ -715,7 +725,9 @@ void WLED::initInterfaces()
   e131.begin(e131Multicast, e131Port, e131Universe, E131_MAX_UNIVERSE_COUNT);
   ddp.begin(false, DDP_DEFAULT_PORT);
   reconnectHue();
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
   initMqtt();
+#endif
   interfacesInited = true;
   wasConnected = true;
 }
diff --git a/wled00/wled.h b/wled00/wled.h
index 66c7cac2..43643bb0 100644
--- a/wled00/wled.h
+++ b/wled00/wled.h
@@ -121,6 +121,7 @@
   #define ESPALEXA_MAXDEVICES 10
   // #define ESPALEXA_DEBUG
   #include "src/dependencies/espalexa/Espalexa.h"
+  #include "src/dependencies/espalexa/EspalexaDevice.h"
 #endif
 #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_BLYNK
   #include "src/dependencies/blynk/BlynkSimpleEsp.h"
@@ -135,7 +136,9 @@
 #endif
 
 #include "src/dependencies/e131/ESPAsyncE131.h"
+#ifdef WLED_ENABLE_MQTT
 #include "src/dependencies/async-mqtt-client/AsyncMqttClient.h"
+#endif
 
 #define ARDUINOJSON_DECODE_UNICODE 0
 #include "src/dependencies/json/AsyncJson-v6.h"
@@ -407,7 +410,12 @@ WLED_GLOBAL bool e131Multicast _INIT(false);                      // multicast o
 WLED_GLOBAL bool e131SkipOutOfSequence _INIT(false);              // freeze instead of flickering
 WLED_GLOBAL uint16_t pollReplyCount _INIT(0);                     // count number of replies for ArtPoll node report
 
+// mqtt
+WLED_GLOBAL unsigned long lastMqttReconnectAttempt _INIT(0);  // used for other periodic tasks too
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
+WLED_GLOBAL AsyncMqttClient *mqtt _INIT(NULL);
 WLED_GLOBAL bool mqttEnabled _INIT(false);
+WLED_GLOBAL char mqttStatusTopic[40] _INIT("");            // this must be global because of async handlers
 WLED_GLOBAL char mqttDeviceTopic[33] _INIT("");            // main MQTT topic (individual per device, default is wled/mac)
 WLED_GLOBAL char mqttGroupTopic[33] _INIT("wled/all");     // second MQTT topic (for example to group devices)
 WLED_GLOBAL char mqttServer[33] _INIT("");                 // both domains and IPs should work (no SSL)
@@ -415,6 +423,10 @@ WLED_GLOBAL char mqttUser[41] _INIT("");                   // optional: username
 WLED_GLOBAL char mqttPass[65] _INIT("");                   // optional: password for MQTT auth
 WLED_GLOBAL char mqttClientID[41] _INIT("");               // override the client ID
 WLED_GLOBAL uint16_t mqttPort _INIT(1883);
+#define WLED_MQTT_CONNECTED (mqtt != nullptr && mqtt->connected())
+#else
+#define WLED_MQTT_CONNECTED false
+#endif
 
 #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_HUESYNC
 WLED_GLOBAL bool huePollingEnabled _INIT(false);           // poll hue bridge for light state
@@ -590,11 +602,8 @@ WLED_GLOBAL uint8_t tpmPacketCount _INIT(0);
 WLED_GLOBAL uint16_t tpmPayloadFrameSize _INIT(0);
 WLED_GLOBAL bool useMainSegmentOnly _INIT(false);
 
-// mqtt
-WLED_GLOBAL unsigned long lastMqttReconnectAttempt _INIT(0);
 WLED_GLOBAL unsigned long lastInterfaceUpdate _INIT(0);
 WLED_GLOBAL byte interfaceUpdateCallMode _INIT(CALL_MODE_INIT);
-WLED_GLOBAL char mqttStatusTopic[40] _INIT("");        // this must be global because of async handlers
 
 // alexa udp
 WLED_GLOBAL String escapedMac;
@@ -655,8 +664,7 @@ WLED_GLOBAL AsyncWebServer server _INIT_N(((80)));
 #ifdef WLED_ENABLE_WEBSOCKETS
 WLED_GLOBAL AsyncWebSocket ws _INIT_N((("/ws")));
 #endif
-WLED_GLOBAL AsyncClient* hueClient _INIT(NULL);
-WLED_GLOBAL AsyncMqttClient* mqtt _INIT(NULL);
+WLED_GLOBAL AsyncClient     *hueClient _INIT(NULL);
 WLED_GLOBAL AsyncWebHandler *editHandler _INIT(nullptr);
 
 // udp interface objects
@@ -766,7 +774,6 @@ WLED_GLOBAL volatile uint8_t jsonBufferLock _INIT(0);
   #define WLED_CONNECTED (WiFi.status() == WL_CONNECTED)
 #endif
 #define WLED_WIFI_CONFIGURED (strlen(clientSSID) >= 1 && strcmp(clientSSID, DEFAULT_CLIENT_SSID) != 0)
-#define WLED_MQTT_CONNECTED (mqtt != nullptr && mqtt->connected())
 
 #ifndef WLED_AP_SSID_UNIQUE
   #define WLED_SET_AP_SSID() do { \