diff --git a/adafruit_esp32s2tft/__init__.py b/adafruit_esp32s2tft/__init__.py
index 2374872..f99655c 100755
--- a/adafruit_esp32s2tft/__init__.py
+++ b/adafruit_esp32s2tft/__init__.py
@@ -63,6 +63,9 @@ class ESP32S2TFT(PortalBase):
                      portrait/rotated
     :param scale: Default scale is 1, but can be an integer of 1 or greater
     :param debug: Turn on debug print outs. Defaults to False.
+    :param use_network: Enable network initialization. Defaults to True.
+                        Setting to False will allow you to use the library without a secrets.py
+                        file with wifi configuration in it.
 
     """
 
@@ -80,13 +83,17 @@ def __init__(
         rotation: int = 0,
         scale: int = 1,
         debug: bool = False,
+        use_network: bool = True
     ) -> None:
 
-        network = Network(
-            status_neopixel=status_neopixel,
-            extract_values=False,
-            debug=debug,
-        )
+        if use_network:
+            network = Network(
+                status_neopixel=status_neopixel,
+                extract_values=False,
+                debug=debug,
+            )
+        else:
+            network = None
 
         graphics = Graphics(
             default_bg=default_bg,
diff --git a/examples/esp32s2tft_simpletest.py b/examples/esp32s2tft_simpletest.py
index 8b10f74..29a3f68 100644
--- a/examples/esp32s2tft_simpletest.py
+++ b/examples/esp32s2tft_simpletest.py
@@ -7,10 +7,7 @@
 from rainbowio import colorwheel
 from adafruit_esp32s2tft import ESP32S2TFT
 
-esp32s2tft = ESP32S2TFT(
-    default_bg=0xFFFF00,
-    scale=2,
-)
+esp32s2tft = ESP32S2TFT(default_bg=0xFFFF00, scale=2, use_network=False)
 
 # Create the labels
 esp32s2tft.add_text(