diff --git a/adafruit_magtag/magtag.py b/adafruit_magtag/magtag.py
index b1e457a..cbc0890 100755
--- a/adafruit_magtag/magtag.py
+++ b/adafruit_magtag/magtag.py
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 
 import gc
 import time
+import board
 from adafruit_portalbase import PortalBase
 from adafruit_magtag.network import Network
 from adafruit_magtag.graphics import Graphics
@@ -75,6 +76,11 @@ def __init__(
         debug=False,
     ):
 
+        self.peripherals = Peripherals()
+
+        if status_neopixel == board.NEOPIXEL:
+            status_neopixel = self.peripherals.neopixels
+
         network = Network(
             status_neopixel=status_neopixel,
             extract_values=False,
@@ -99,8 +105,6 @@ def __init__(
             debug=debug,
         )
 
-        self.peripherals = Peripherals()
-
         gc.collect()
 
     def exit_and_deep_sleep(self, sleep_time):
diff --git a/adafruit_magtag/network.py b/adafruit_magtag/network.py
index 6633516..2cf73f4 100755
--- a/adafruit_magtag/network.py
+++ b/adafruit_magtag/network.py
@@ -55,7 +55,10 @@ def __init__(
         debug=False,
     ):
         if status_neopixel:
-            status_led = neopixel.NeoPixel(status_neopixel, 1, brightness=0.2)
+            if isinstance(status_neopixel, neopixel.NeoPixel):
+                status_led = status_neopixel
+            else:
+                status_led = neopixel.NeoPixel(status_neopixel, 1, brightness=0.2)
         else:
             status_led = None
         super().__init__(