diff --git a/src/CHANGES.md b/src/CHANGES.md
index af1ecd86..8d89f003 100644
--- a/src/CHANGES.md
+++ b/src/CHANGES.md
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # Development Changes
 
+## 0.8.98 - 2024-03-23
+
 ## 0.8.97 - 2024-03-22
 * add support for newest generation of inverters with A-F in their serial number
 * fix NTP and sunrise / sunset
diff --git a/src/network/AhoyWifiEsp32.h b/src/network/AhoyWifiEsp32.h
index f9fc064a..99733ad2 100644
--- a/src/network/AhoyWifiEsp32.h
+++ b/src/network/AhoyWifiEsp32.h
@@ -23,12 +23,14 @@ class AhoyWifi : public AhoyNetwork {
             });
 
             WiFi.setHostname(mConfig->sys.deviceName);
-            WiFi.setScanMethod(WIFI_ALL_CHANNEL_SCAN);
-            WiFi.setSortMethod(WIFI_CONNECT_AP_BY_SIGNAL);
-            WiFi.begin(mConfig->sys.stationSsid, mConfig->sys.stationPwd, WIFI_ALL_CHANNEL_SCAN);
-
-            DBGPRINT(F("connect to network '")); Serial.flush();
-            DBGPRINT(mConfig->sys.stationSsid);
+            #if !defined(AP_ONLY)
+                WiFi.setScanMethod(WIFI_ALL_CHANNEL_SCAN);
+                WiFi.setSortMethod(WIFI_CONNECT_AP_BY_SIGNAL);
+                WiFi.begin(mConfig->sys.stationSsid, mConfig->sys.stationPwd, WIFI_ALL_CHANNEL_SCAN);
+
+                DBGPRINT(F("connect to network '")); Serial.flush();
+                DBGPRINT(mConfig->sys.stationSsid);
+            #endif
         }
 
         void tickNetworkLoop() override {
diff --git a/src/network/AhoyWifiEsp8266.h b/src/network/AhoyWifiEsp8266.h
index 1a068797..16a62b4b 100644
--- a/src/network/AhoyWifiEsp8266.h
+++ b/src/network/AhoyWifiEsp8266.h
@@ -23,10 +23,12 @@ class AhoyWifi : public AhoyNetwork {
             });
 
             WiFi.setHostname(mConfig->sys.deviceName);
-            WiFi.begin(mConfig->sys.stationSsid, mConfig->sys.stationPwd);
+            #if !defined(AP_ONLY)
+                WiFi.begin(mConfig->sys.stationSsid, mConfig->sys.stationPwd);
 
-            DBGPRINT(F("connect to network '")); Serial.flush();
-            DBGPRINT(mConfig->sys.stationSsid);
+                DBGPRINT(F("connect to network '")); Serial.flush();
+                DBGPRINT(mConfig->sys.stationSsid);
+            #endif
         }
 
         void tickNetworkLoop() override {