diff --git a/lib/comms/bus.cpp b/lib/comms/bus.cpp
index 520aa58..e728d04 100644
--- a/lib/comms/bus.cpp
+++ b/lib/comms/bus.cpp
@@ -20,12 +20,15 @@ bool initUARTs(Config &config)
     return true;
 }
 
+#ifndef HELTEC
 SPIClass &hspi = *(new SPIClass(HSPI)); // not usable until initSPIs
+#endif
 
 bool initSPIs(Config &config)
 {
     if (config.spi1.enabled)
     {
+#ifndef HELTEC
         delete (&hspi);
         hspi = *(new SPIClass(config.spi1.bus_num));
         if (config.spi1.clock_freq > 0)
@@ -35,10 +38,14 @@ bool initSPIs(Config &config)
 
         // if all the pins are -1, then will use the default for SPI bus_num
         hspi.begin(config.spi1.clk, config.spi1.miso, config.spi1.mosi);
+
         Serial.printf("Initialized SPI%d @ %x: SC:%d MISO:%d MOSI:%d clock:%d\n",
                       (int)config.spi1.bus_num, (void *)&hspi, (int)config.spi1.clk,
                       (int)config.spi1.miso, (int)config.spi1.mosi,
                       (int)config.spi1.clock_freq);
+#else
+        Serial.println("SPI not supported on Heltec");
+#endif
     }
 
     return true;
diff --git a/lib/comms/bus.h b/lib/comms/bus.h
index b94599e..35a0aae 100644
--- a/lib/comms/bus.h
+++ b/lib/comms/bus.h
@@ -17,7 +17,9 @@ enum I2CDevices
 extern uint8_t wireDevices;
 extern uint8_t wire1Devices;
 
+#ifndef HELTEC
 extern SPIClass &hspi;
+#endif
 
 // abstract away a reference to Serial vs Serial0 vs Serial1, so it compiles
 #ifndef ARDUINO_USB_CDC_ON_BOOT