diff --git a/examples/simple_repeater/main.cpp b/examples/simple_repeater/main.cpp
index d7e10fe2..d55d6118 100644
--- a/examples/simple_repeater/main.cpp
+++ b/examples/simple_repeater/main.cpp
@@ -88,7 +88,9 @@ void setup() {
 #endif
 
   // send out initial zero hop Advertisement to the mesh
+#if ENABLE_ADVERT_ON_BOOT == 1
   the_mesh.sendSelfAdvertisement(16000, false);
+#endif
 }
 
 void loop() {
diff --git a/examples/simple_room_server/main.cpp b/examples/simple_room_server/main.cpp
index 2c76ba0c..825fb007 100644
--- a/examples/simple_room_server/main.cpp
+++ b/examples/simple_room_server/main.cpp
@@ -77,7 +77,9 @@ void setup() {
 #endif
 
   // send out initial zero hop Advertisement to the mesh
+#if ENABLE_ADVERT_ON_BOOT == 1
   the_mesh.sendSelfAdvertisement(16000, false);
+#endif
 }
 
 void loop() {
diff --git a/examples/simple_secure_chat/main.cpp b/examples/simple_secure_chat/main.cpp
index da1bac5b..018ec2a2 100644
--- a/examples/simple_secure_chat/main.cpp
+++ b/examples/simple_secure_chat/main.cpp
@@ -582,7 +582,9 @@ void setup() {
   the_mesh.showWelcome();
 
   // send out initial Advertisement to the mesh
+#if ENABLE_ADVERT_ON_BOOT == 1
   the_mesh.sendSelfAdvert(1200);   // add slight delay
+#endif
 }
 
 void loop() {
diff --git a/examples/simple_sensor/main.cpp b/examples/simple_sensor/main.cpp
index ab2842e0..330adcc2 100644
--- a/examples/simple_sensor/main.cpp
+++ b/examples/simple_sensor/main.cpp
@@ -111,7 +111,9 @@ void setup() {
 #endif
 
   // send out initial zero hop Advertisement to the mesh
+#if ENABLE_ADVERT_ON_BOOT == 1
   the_mesh.sendSelfAdvertisement(16000, false);
+#endif
 }
 
 void loop() {
diff --git a/platformio.ini b/platformio.ini
index 75d37e86..743e357a 100644
--- a/platformio.ini
+++ b/platformio.ini
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ build_flags = -w -DNDEBUG -DRADIOLIB_STATIC_ONLY=1 -DRADIOLIB_GODMODE=1
   -D LORA_FREQ=869.525
   -D LORA_BW=250
   -D LORA_SF=11
+  -D ENABLE_ADVERT_ON_BOOT=1
   -D ENABLE_PRIVATE_KEY_IMPORT=1   ; NOTE: comment these out for more secure firmware
   -D ENABLE_PRIVATE_KEY_EXPORT=1
   -D RADIOLIB_EXCLUDE_CC1101=1