diff --git a/src/tangara/audio/i2s_audio_output.cpp b/src/tangara/audio/i2s_audio_output.cpp
index 55c8bdb8..c0265af3 100644
--- a/src/tangara/audio/i2s_audio_output.cpp
+++ b/src/tangara/audio/i2s_audio_output.cpp
@@ -168,6 +168,9 @@ auto I2SAudioOutput::PrepareFormat(const Format& orig) -> Format {
 }
 
 auto I2SAudioOutput::Configure(const Format& fmt) -> void {
+  if (!dac_) {
+    return;
+  }
   if (current_config_ && fmt == *current_config_) {
     ESP_LOGI(kTag, "ignoring unchanged format");
     return;