diff --git a/gaugemqttcontinuous.py b/gaugemqttcontinuous.py
index 71851e0..29ccbb8 100644
--- a/gaugemqttcontinuous.py
+++ b/gaugemqttcontinuous.py
@@ -327,7 +327,11 @@ for g in gauges:
     leds_green.append(Pin(g["green_pin"], Pin.OUT, value=0))
 
 total_backlight_leds = num_gauges * (BACKLIGHT_LEDS_PER_GAUGE + STATUS_LEDS_PER_GAUGE)
-leds_bl = NeoPixel(Pin(BACKLIGHT_PIN), total_backlight_leds)
+leds_bl = (
+    NeoPixel(Pin(BACKLIGHT_PIN), total_backlight_leds)
+    if total_backlight_leds > 0
+    else None
+)
 
 backlight_color = [(0, 0, 0) for _ in range(num_gauges)]
 backlight_brightness = [100 for _ in range(num_gauges)]
@@ -339,10 +343,6 @@ status_led_green = [False for _ in range(num_gauges)]
 _bl_dirty_since = None
 _BL_SAVE_DELAY_MS = 5000
 
-backlight_color = [(0, 0, 0) for _ in range(num_gauges)]
-backlight_brightness = [100 for _ in range(num_gauges)]
-backlight_on = [False for _ in range(num_gauges)]
-
 
 def _flush_backlight(client):
     for i in range(num_gauges):
@@ -391,9 +391,11 @@ def set_backlight_color(gauge_idx, r, g, b, brightness=None):
     leds_per_gauge = BACKLIGHT_LEDS_PER_GAUGE + STATUS_LEDS_PER_GAUGE
     base_idx = gauge_idx * leds_per_gauge
     for j in range(BACKLIGHT_LEDS_PER_GAUGE):
-        leds_bl[base_idx + j] = (int(g * scale), int(r * scale), int(b * scale))
+        if leds_bl:
+            leds_bl[base_idx + j] = (int(g * scale), int(r * scale), int(b * scale))
     _update_status_leds(gauge_idx)
-    leds_bl.write()
+    if leds_bl:
+        leds_bl.write()
     _mark_bl_dirty()
 
 
@@ -411,13 +413,17 @@ def set_backlight_brightness(gauge_idx, brightness):
     leds_per_gauge = BACKLIGHT_LEDS_PER_GAUGE + STATUS_LEDS_PER_GAUGE
     base_idx = gauge_idx * leds_per_gauge
     for j in range(BACKLIGHT_LEDS_PER_GAUGE):
-        leds_bl[base_idx + j] = (int(g * scale), int(r * scale), int(b * scale))
+        if leds_bl:
+            leds_bl[base_idx + j] = (int(g * scale), int(r * scale), int(b * scale))
     _update_status_leds(gauge_idx)
-    leds_bl.write()
+    if leds_bl:
+        leds_bl.write()
     _mark_bl_dirty()
 
 
 def _update_status_leds(gauge_idx):
+    if not leds_bl:
+        return
     leds_per_gauge = BACKLIGHT_LEDS_PER_GAUGE + STATUS_LEDS_PER_GAUGE
     base_idx = gauge_idx * leds_per_gauge + BACKLIGHT_LEDS_PER_GAUGE
 
@@ -443,7 +449,8 @@ def set_status_led(gauge_idx, led_type, state):
     elif led_type == "green":
         status_led_green[gauge_idx] = state
     _update_status_leds(gauge_idx)
-    leds_bl.write()
+    if leds_bl:
+        leds_bl.write()
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------