diff --git a/RNS/Interfaces/MeshtasticInterface.py b/RNS/Interfaces/MeshtasticInterface.py
index 377358a..9ad97a0 100644
--- a/RNS/Interfaces/MeshtasticInterface.py
+++ b/RNS/Interfaces/MeshtasticInterface.py
@@ -1,67 +1,102 @@
 
 from .Interface import Interface
-import meshtastic
-import meshtastic.serial_interface
 from pubsub import pub
 import time
 import sys
 import RNS
 
+try:
+    import meshtastic
+    import meshtastic.serial_interface
 
-class MeshtasticInterface(Interface):
+    class MeshtasticInterface(Interface):
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def onReceive(packet, interface):
-        #print(f"Received: {packet}")
-        if packet['decoded']['portnum'] == "PRIVATE_APP":
-            interface.callback.processIncoming(packet['decoded']['payload'])
+        @staticmethod
+        def onReceive(packet, interface):
+            if packet['decoded']['portnum'] == "PRIVATE_APP":
+                interface.callback.processIncoming(packet['decoded']['payload'])
 
-    def __init__(self, owner, name, port=None, channel=0):
-        super().__init__()
+        def __init__(self, owner, name, config):
+            super().__init__()
 
-        self.rxb = 0
-        self.txb = 0
+            self.port = config["port"] if "port" in config else None
+            RNS.log("MeshtasticInterface: port="+str(self.port), RNS.LOG_DEBUG)
+            self.channel = int(config["channel"]) if "channel" in config else 0
+            RNS.log("MeshtasticInterface: channel="+str(self.channel), RNS.LOG_DEBUG)
 
-        self.HW_MTU = 256
+            self.rxb = 0
+            self.txb = 0
 
-        self.IN  = True
-        self.OUT = False
-        self.owner = owner
-        self.name = name
-        self.port = port
-        self.channel = channel
-        self.online = False
-        # static default long-fast bitrate
-        self.bitrate = 5469
-        self.bitrate_kbps = 5.47
+            self.HW_MTU = 256
 
-        RNS.log("Initializing Meshtastic interface...", RNS.LOG_DEBUG)
-        self.interface = meshtastic.serial_interface.SerialInterface(devPath=port)
-        self.interface.callback = self
+            self.IN  = True
+            self.OUT = False
+            self.owner = owner
+            self.name = name
+            self.online = False
+            # static default long-fast bitrate
+            self.bitrate = 5469
+            self.bitrate_kbps = 5.47
 
-        RNS.log("Subscribing to Meshtastic events", RNS.LOG_DEBUG)
-        pub.subscribe(self.onReceive, "meshtastic.receive.data")
+            self.interface = None
 
-        RNS.log("Initialized Meshtastic interface!", RNS.LOG_DEBUG)
+            try:
+                RNS.log("Initializing Meshtastic interface...", RNS.LOG_DEBUG)
+                # avoid api forcing app to terminate when no devices are found
+                if self.port == None:
+                    ports = meshtastic.util.findPorts(True)
+                    if len(ports) == 0:
+                        RNS.log("Failed to initialize Meshtastic interface! No devices found", RNS.LOG_ERROR)
+                        return
+                self.interface = meshtastic.serial_interface.SerialInterface(devPath=self.port)
+                self.interface.callback = self
 
-    def processIncoming(self, data):
-        RNS.log("Received Meshtastic packet "+RNS.prettyhexrep(data), RNS.LOG_DEBUG)
-        self.rxb += len(data)
-        self.owner.inbound(data, self)
+                RNS.log("Subscribing to Meshtastic events", RNS.LOG_DEBUG)
+                pub.subscribe(self.onReceive, "meshtastic.receive.data")
 
-    def processOutgoing(self, data):
-        RNS.log("Sending Meshtastic packet "+RNS.prettyhexrep(data), RNS.LOG_DEBUG)
-        try:
-            #self.interface.sendData(data)
-            self.interface.sendData(data, portNum=256, channelIndex=self.channel)
-            self.txb += len(data)
-            
-        except Exception as e:
-            RNS.log("Could not transmit on "+str(self)+". The contained exception was: "+str(e), RNS.LOG_ERROR)
+            except Exception as e:
+                RNS.log("Failed to initialize Meshtastic interface! "+str(e), RNS.LOG_ERROR)
+                self.interface = None
+                return
 
+            RNS.log("Initialized Meshtastic interface!", RNS.LOG_DEBUG)
 
-    def __str__(self):
-        if self.port == None:
-            return "MeshtasticInterface["+self.name+"]"
-        return "MeshtasticInterface["+self.name+"/"+self.port+"]"
+        def processIncoming(self, data):
+            RNS.log("Received Meshtastic packet "+RNS.prettyhexrep(data), RNS.LOG_DEBUG)
+            self.rxb += len(data)
+            self.owner.inbound(data, self)
+
+        def processOutgoing(self, data):
+            if self.interface == None:
+                return
+            RNS.log("Sending Meshtastic packet "+RNS.prettyhexrep(data), RNS.LOG_DEBUG)
+            try:
+                #self.interface.sendData(data)
+                self.interface.sendData(data, portNum=256, channelIndex=self.channel)
+                self.txb += len(data)
+            except Exception as e:
+                RNS.log("Could not transmit on "+str(self)+". The contained exception was: "+str(e), RNS.LOG_ERROR)
+
+        def __str__(self):
+            if self.port == None:
+                return "MeshtasticInterface["+self.name+"]"
+            return "MeshtasticInterface["+self.name+"/"+self.port+"]"
+
+except ImportError:
+
+    class MeshtasticInterface(Interface):
+
+        def __init__(self, owner, name, port=None, channel=0):
+            super().__init__()
+
+            RNS.log("Failed to initialize Meshtastic interface! Meshtastic API is not installed", RNS.LOG_ERROR)
+            #raise OSError("Meshtastic API is not installed")
+
+        def processOutgoing(self, data):
+            return
+
+        def __str__(self):
+            if self.port == None:
+                return "MeshtasticInterface["+self.name+"]"
+            return "MeshtasticInterface["+self.name+"/"+self.port+"]"
 
diff --git a/RNS/Reticulum.py b/RNS/Reticulum.py
index 8db7d9b..a37b1a6 100755
--- a/RNS/Reticulum.py
+++ b/RNS/Reticulum.py
@@ -935,14 +935,10 @@ class Reticulum:
 
                                 if c["type"] == "MeshtasticInterface":
 
-                                    port = c["port"] if "port" in c else None
-                                    channel = int(c["channel"]) if "channel" in c else 0
-
                                     interface = MeshtasticInterface.MeshtasticInterface(
                                         RNS.Transport,
                                         name,
-                                        port,
-                                        channel
+                                        c
                                     )
 
                                     if "outgoing" in c and c.as_bool("outgoing") == False: