diff --git a/ports/atmel-samd/boards/gemma_m0/mpconfigboard.h b/ports/atmel-samd/boards/gemma_m0/mpconfigboard.h
index bc60ba49ba..5f09ab4d2f 100644
--- a/ports/atmel-samd/boards/gemma_m0/mpconfigboard.h
+++ b/ports/atmel-samd/boards/gemma_m0/mpconfigboard.h
@@ -6,8 +6,6 @@
 #define MICROPY_HW_APA102_MOSI   (&pin_PA00)
 #define MICROPY_HW_APA102_SCK    (&pin_PA01)
 
-// #define CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102
-
 #define MICROPY_PORT_A        (PORT_PA00 | PORT_PA01 | PORT_PA24 | PORT_PA25)
 #define MICROPY_PORT_B        (0)
 #define MICROPY_PORT_C        (0)
diff --git a/ports/atmel-samd/boards/itsybitsy_m0_express/mpconfigboard.h b/ports/atmel-samd/boards/itsybitsy_m0_express/mpconfigboard.h
index 79d0cd269e..6f9f661d94 100644
--- a/ports/atmel-samd/boards/itsybitsy_m0_express/mpconfigboard.h
+++ b/ports/atmel-samd/boards/itsybitsy_m0_express/mpconfigboard.h
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 
 #define MICROPY_HW_LED_STATUS   (&pin_PA17)
 
-#define CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102
 #define MICROPY_HW_APA102_MOSI   (&pin_PA01)
 #define MICROPY_HW_APA102_SCK    (&pin_PA00)
 
diff --git a/ports/atmel-samd/boards/itsybitsy_m0_express/mpconfigboard.mk b/ports/atmel-samd/boards/itsybitsy_m0_express/mpconfigboard.mk
index 10975931ff..2b64e90275 100644
--- a/ports/atmel-samd/boards/itsybitsy_m0_express/mpconfigboard.mk
+++ b/ports/atmel-samd/boards/itsybitsy_m0_express/mpconfigboard.mk
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@ EXTERNAL_FLASH_DEVICE_COUNT = 2
 EXTERNAL_FLASH_DEVICES = "W25Q16FW, GD25Q16C"
 LONGINT_IMPL = MPZ
 
+CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102 = 1
+
+CIRCUITPY_BITBANGIO = 0
 CIRCUITPY_GAMEPAD = 0
 CIRCUITPY_I2CSLAVE = 0
 CIRCUITPY_RTC = 0
diff --git a/ports/atmel-samd/boards/itsybitsy_m4_express/mpconfigboard.h b/ports/atmel-samd/boards/itsybitsy_m4_express/mpconfigboard.h
index f4d17ac648..9e4d4a10c9 100644
--- a/ports/atmel-samd/boards/itsybitsy_m4_express/mpconfigboard.h
+++ b/ports/atmel-samd/boards/itsybitsy_m4_express/mpconfigboard.h
@@ -9,8 +9,6 @@
 #define MICROPY_HW_APA102_MOSI   (&pin_PB03)
 #define MICROPY_HW_APA102_SCK    (&pin_PB02)
 
-#define CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102
-
 // These are pins not to reset.
 // QSPI Data pins
 #define MICROPY_PORT_A (PORT_PA08 | PORT_PA09 | PORT_PA10 | PORT_PA11)
diff --git a/ports/atmel-samd/boards/itsybitsy_m4_express/mpconfigboard.mk b/ports/atmel-samd/boards/itsybitsy_m4_express/mpconfigboard.mk
index f53983ef79..5cab5bf43a 100644
--- a/ports/atmel-samd/boards/itsybitsy_m4_express/mpconfigboard.mk
+++ b/ports/atmel-samd/boards/itsybitsy_m4_express/mpconfigboard.mk
@@ -15,3 +15,5 @@ LONGINT_IMPL = MPZ
 CIRCUITPY_PS2IO = 1
 # No I2S on SAMD51G
 CIRCUITPY_AUDIOBUSIO = 0
+
+CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102 = 1
diff --git a/ports/atmel-samd/boards/mini_sam_m4/mpconfigboard.h b/ports/atmel-samd/boards/mini_sam_m4/mpconfigboard.h
index cd754924e6..c4563964f8 100644
--- a/ports/atmel-samd/boards/mini_sam_m4/mpconfigboard.h
+++ b/ports/atmel-samd/boards/mini_sam_m4/mpconfigboard.h
@@ -9,8 +9,6 @@
 #define MICROPY_HW_APA102_MOSI   (&pin_PB03)
 #define MICROPY_HW_APA102_SCK    (&pin_PB02)
 
-#define CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102
-
 // These are pins not to reset.
 // QSPI Data pins
 #define MICROPY_PORT_A (PORT_PA08 | PORT_PA09 | PORT_PA10 | PORT_PA11)
diff --git a/ports/atmel-samd/boards/mini_sam_m4/mpconfigboard.mk b/ports/atmel-samd/boards/mini_sam_m4/mpconfigboard.mk
index b70b9bbb0e..4bd1d6e522 100644
--- a/ports/atmel-samd/boards/mini_sam_m4/mpconfigboard.mk
+++ b/ports/atmel-samd/boards/mini_sam_m4/mpconfigboard.mk
@@ -15,3 +15,5 @@ LONGINT_IMPL = MPZ
 CIRCUITPY_PS2IO = 1
 # No I2S on SAMD51G
 CIRCUITPY_AUDIOBUSIO = 0
+
+CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102 = 1
diff --git a/ports/atmel-samd/boards/pirkey_m0/mpconfigboard.h b/ports/atmel-samd/boards/pirkey_m0/mpconfigboard.h
index 288208f65a..5a8eb9d147 100644
--- a/ports/atmel-samd/boards/pirkey_m0/mpconfigboard.h
+++ b/ports/atmel-samd/boards/pirkey_m0/mpconfigboard.h
@@ -4,8 +4,6 @@
 #define MICROPY_HW_APA102_MOSI   (&pin_PA00)
 #define MICROPY_HW_APA102_SCK    (&pin_PA01)
 
-// #define CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102
-
 #define MICROPY_PORT_A        (PORT_PA00 | PORT_PA01 | PORT_PA24 | PORT_PA25)
 #define MICROPY_PORT_B        (0)
 #define MICROPY_PORT_C        (0)
diff --git a/ports/atmel-samd/boards/trellis_m4_express/mpconfigboard.h b/ports/atmel-samd/boards/trellis_m4_express/mpconfigboard.h
index 6870b86ba0..8ca1df1621 100644
--- a/ports/atmel-samd/boards/trellis_m4_express/mpconfigboard.h
+++ b/ports/atmel-samd/boards/trellis_m4_express/mpconfigboard.h
@@ -8,8 +8,6 @@
 #define MICROPY_HW_APA102_MOSI   (&pin_PB03)
 #define MICROPY_HW_APA102_SCK    (&pin_PB02)
 
-#define CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102
-
 // These are pins not to reset.
 // QSPI Data pins
 #define MICROPY_PORT_A (PORT_PA08 | PORT_PA09 | PORT_PA10 | PORT_PA11)
diff --git a/ports/atmel-samd/boards/trellis_m4_express/mpconfigboard.mk b/ports/atmel-samd/boards/trellis_m4_express/mpconfigboard.mk
index f1fb499011..ec37186c3a 100644
--- a/ports/atmel-samd/boards/trellis_m4_express/mpconfigboard.mk
+++ b/ports/atmel-samd/boards/trellis_m4_express/mpconfigboard.mk
@@ -15,3 +15,5 @@ LONGINT_IMPL = MPZ
 CIRCUITPY_PS2IO = 1
 # No I2S on SAMD51G
 CIRCUITPY_AUDIOBUSIO = 0
+
+CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102 = 1
diff --git a/ports/atmel-samd/common-hal/busio/SPI.c b/ports/atmel-samd/common-hal/busio/SPI.c
index 644b9a87b4..7a1426bedc 100644
--- a/ports/atmel-samd/common-hal/busio/SPI.c
+++ b/ports/atmel-samd/common-hal/busio/SPI.c
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ void common_hal_busio_spi_construct(busio_spi_obj_t *self,
         }
         Sercom* potential_sercom = sercom_insts[sercom_index];
         if (
-        #if defined(MICROPY_HW_APA102_SCK) && defined(MICROPY_HW_APA102_MOSI) && !defined(CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102)
+        #if defined(MICROPY_HW_APA102_SCK) && defined(MICROPY_HW_APA102_MOSI) && !CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102
             (potential_sercom->SPI.CTRLA.bit.ENABLE != 0 &&
              potential_sercom != status_apa102.spi_desc.dev.prvt &&
              !apa102_sck_in_use)) {
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ void common_hal_busio_spi_construct(busio_spi_obj_t *self,
     // Set up SPI clocks on SERCOM.
     samd_peripherals_sercom_clock_init(sercom, sercom_index);
 
-    #if defined(MICROPY_HW_APA102_SCK) && defined(MICROPY_HW_APA102_MOSI) && !defined(CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102)
+    #if defined(MICROPY_HW_APA102_SCK) && defined(MICROPY_HW_APA102_MOSI) && !CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102
     // if we're re-using the dotstar sercom, make sure it is disabled or the init will fail out
     hri_sercomspi_clear_CTRLA_ENABLE_bit(sercom);
     #endif
diff --git a/py/circuitpy_defns.mk b/py/circuitpy_defns.mk
index e7b9175128..3f593416e5 100644
--- a/py/circuitpy_defns.mk
+++ b/py/circuitpy_defns.mk
@@ -117,6 +117,10 @@ endif
 ifeq ($(CIRCUITPY_BITBANGIO),1)
 SRC_PATTERNS += bitbangio/%
 endif
+# Some builds need bitbang SPI for the dotstar but don't make bitbangio available so include it separately.
+ifeq ($(CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102),1)
+SRC_PATTERNS += bitbangio/SPI%
+endif
 ifeq ($(CIRCUITPY_BLEIO),1)
 SRC_PATTERNS += bleio/%
 endif
diff --git a/py/circuitpy_mpconfig.mk b/py/circuitpy_mpconfig.mk
index 949cd1d182..356a8f95d1 100644
--- a/py/circuitpy_mpconfig.mk
+++ b/py/circuitpy_mpconfig.mk
@@ -278,3 +278,9 @@ ifndef CIRCUITPY_USTACK
 CIRCUITPY_USTACK = 0
 endif
 CFLAGS += -DCIRCUITPY_USTACK=$(CIRCUITPY_USTACK)
+
+
+ifndef CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102
+CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102 = 0
+endif
+CFLAGS += -DCIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102=$(CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102)
diff --git a/supervisor/shared/rgb_led_status.c b/supervisor/shared/rgb_led_status.c
index 0e69cd2e0e..9f233defa1 100644
--- a/supervisor/shared/rgb_led_status.c
+++ b/supervisor/shared/rgb_led_status.c
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ static digitalio_digitalinout_obj_t status_neopixel;
 #if defined(MICROPY_HW_APA102_MOSI) && defined(MICROPY_HW_APA102_SCK)
 uint8_t rgb_status_brightness = 255;
 static uint8_t status_apa102_color[12] = {0, 0, 0, 0, 0xff, 0, 0, 0};
-#ifdef CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102
+#if CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102
 #include "shared-bindings/bitbangio/SPI.h"
 #include "shared-module/bitbangio/types.h"
 static bitbangio_spi_obj_t status_apa102;
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ void rgb_led_status_init() {
         common_hal_digitalio_digitalinout_switch_to_output(&status_neopixel, false, DRIVE_MODE_PUSH_PULL);
     #endif
     #if defined(MICROPY_HW_APA102_MOSI) && defined(MICROPY_HW_APA102_SCK)
-        #ifdef CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102
+        #if CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102
         shared_module_bitbangio_spi_construct(&status_apa102,
                                               MICROPY_HW_APA102_SCK,
                                               MICROPY_HW_APA102_MOSI,
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ void rgb_led_status_init() {
         // mark them as used.
         apa102_mosi_in_use = false;
         apa102_sck_in_use = false;
-        #ifdef CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102
+        #if CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102
         shared_module_bitbangio_spi_try_lock(&status_apa102);
         shared_module_bitbangio_spi_configure(&status_apa102, 100000, 0, 1, 8);
         #else
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ void new_status_color(uint32_t rgb) {
         status_apa102_color[6] = (rgb_adjusted >> 8) & 0xff;
         status_apa102_color[7] = (rgb_adjusted >> 16) & 0xff;
 
-        #ifdef CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102
+        #if CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102
         shared_module_bitbangio_spi_write(&status_apa102, status_apa102_color, 8);
         #else
         common_hal_busio_spi_write(&status_apa102, status_apa102_color, 8);
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ void temp_status_color(uint32_t rgb) {
             return;
         }
         uint8_t colors[12] = {0, 0, 0, 0, 0xff, rgb_adjusted & 0xff, (rgb_adjusted >> 8) & 0xff, (rgb_adjusted >> 16) & 0xff, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0};
-        #ifdef CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102
+        #if CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102
         shared_module_bitbangio_spi_write(&status_apa102, colors, 12);
         #else
         common_hal_busio_spi_write(&status_apa102, colors, 12);
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ void clear_temp_status() {
         common_hal_neopixel_write(&status_neopixel, status_neopixel_color, 3);
     #endif
     #if defined(MICROPY_HW_APA102_MOSI) && defined(MICROPY_HW_APA102_SCK)
-        #ifdef CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102
+        #if CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102
         shared_module_bitbangio_spi_write(&status_apa102, status_apa102_color, 8);
         #else
         common_hal_busio_spi_write(&status_apa102, status_apa102_color, 8);
diff --git a/supervisor/shared/rgb_led_status.h b/supervisor/shared/rgb_led_status.h
index 83f4822d72..e4e1981a21 100644
--- a/supervisor/shared/rgb_led_status.h
+++ b/supervisor/shared/rgb_led_status.h
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@
 // To work with a NeoPixel, one must have MICROPY_HW_NEOPIXEL defined and
 // neopixel_write implemented.
 
-#if defined(MICROPY_HW_APA102_MOSI) && defined(MICROPY_HW_APA102_SCK) && !defined(CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102)
+#if defined(MICROPY_HW_APA102_MOSI) && defined(MICROPY_HW_APA102_SCK) && !CIRCUITPY_BITBANG_APA102
 #include "common-hal/busio/SPI.h"
 extern busio_spi_obj_t status_apa102;
 #endif