diff --git a/headmic.py b/headmic.py
index 4ad688e..4e54783 100644
--- a/headmic.py
+++ b/headmic.py
@@ -469,8 +469,8 @@ async def startup():
     edgetpu_model_path = model_dir / "yamnet_edgetpu.tflite"
     model_path = model_dir / "yamnet.tflite"
     class_map_path = model_dir / "yamnet_class_map.csv"
-    # Prefer Edge TPU model if available
-    use_edgetpu = edgetpu_model_path.exists()
+    # Edge TPU opt-in via env var (segfaults with some libedgetpu versions)
+    use_edgetpu = os.environ.get("USE_EDGETPU", "").lower() in ("1", "true", "yes") and edgetpu_model_path.exists()
     active_model = edgetpu_model_path if use_edgetpu else model_path
     if active_model.exists() and class_map_path.exists():
         try: