diff --git a/ports/stm32f4/common-hal/busio/SPI.c b/ports/stm32f4/common-hal/busio/SPI.c
index 32089887f9..fe20416833 100644
--- a/ports/stm32f4/common-hal/busio/SPI.c
+++ b/ports/stm32f4/common-hal/busio/SPI.c
@@ -36,6 +36,9 @@
 #include "supervisor/shared/translate.h"
 #include "common-hal/microcontroller/Pin.h"
 
+// Note that any bugs introduced in this file can cause crashes at startup
+// for chips using external SPI flash.
+
 #define MAX_SPI 6 //TODO; replace this as part of periph cleanup
 #define ALL_CLOCKS 0xFF
 
@@ -79,38 +82,80 @@ void common_hal_busio_spi_construct(busio_spi_obj_t *self,
     uint8_t sck_len = sizeof(mcu_spi_sck_list)/sizeof(*mcu_spi_sck_list);
     uint8_t mosi_len = sizeof(mcu_spi_mosi_list)/sizeof(*mcu_spi_mosi_list);
     uint8_t miso_len = sizeof(mcu_spi_miso_list)/sizeof(*mcu_spi_miso_list);
-
     bool spi_taken = false;
-    //sck
+
+    //sck is not optional. MOSI and MISO are
     for(uint i=0; i<sck_len;i++) {
         if (mcu_spi_sck_list[i].pin == sck) {
-            //mosi
-            for(uint j=0; j<mosi_len;j++) {
-                if (mcu_spi_mosi_list[j].pin == mosi) {
-                    //miso
-                    for(uint k=0; k<miso_len;k++) {
-                        if ((mcu_spi_miso_list[k].pin == miso) //everything needs the same index
-                            && (mcu_spi_sck_list[i].spi_index == mcu_spi_mosi_list[j].spi_index)
-                            && (mcu_spi_sck_list[i].spi_index == mcu_spi_miso_list[k].spi_index)) {
-                            //keep looking if the SPI is taken, edge case
-                            if(reserved_spi[mcu_spi_sck_list[i].spi_index-1]) {
-                                spi_taken = true;
-                                continue;
+            //if both mosi and miso exist, loop search normally
+            if ((mosi != mp_const_none) && (miso != mp_const_none)) {
+                //mosi
+                for(uint j=0; j<mosi_len;j++) {
+                    if (mcu_spi_mosi_list[j].pin == mosi) {
+                        //miso
+                        for(uint k=0; k<miso_len;k++) {
+                            if ((mcu_spi_miso_list[k].pin == miso) //everything needs the same index
+                                && (mcu_spi_sck_list[i].spi_index == mcu_spi_mosi_list[j].spi_index)
+                                && (mcu_spi_sck_list[i].spi_index == mcu_spi_miso_list[k].spi_index)) {
+                                //keep looking if the SPI is taken, edge case
+                                if(reserved_spi[mcu_spi_sck_list[i].spi_index-1]) {
+                                    spi_taken = true;
+                                    continue;
+                                }
+                                //store pins if not
+                                self->sck = &mcu_spi_sck_list[i];
+                                self->mosi = &mcu_spi_mosi_list[j];
+                                self->miso = &mcu_spi_miso_list[k];
+                                break;
                             }
-                            //store pins if not
-                            self->sck = &mcu_spi_sck_list[i];
-                            self->mosi = &mcu_spi_mosi_list[j];
-                            self->miso = &mcu_spi_miso_list[k];
-                            break;
-                        }
-                    }   
+                        }   
+                    }
                 }
+            // if just miso, reduce search
+            } else if (miso != mp_const_none) {
+                for(uint j=0; j<miso_len;j++) {
+                    if ((mcu_spi_miso_list[j].pin == miso) //only sck and miso need the same index
+                        && (mcu_spi_sck_list[i].spi_index == mcu_spi_miso_list[j].spi_index)) {
+                        //keep looking if the SPI is taken, edge case
+                        if(reserved_spi[mcu_spi_sck_list[i].spi_index-1]) {
+                            spi_taken = true;
+                            continue;
+                        }
+                        //store pins if not
+                        self->sck = &mcu_spi_sck_list[i];
+                        self->mosi = NULL;
+                        self->miso = &mcu_spi_miso_list[j];
+                        break;
+                    }
+                }  
+            // if just mosi, reduce search
+            } else if (mosi != mp_const_none) {
+                for(uint j=0; j<mosi_len;j++) {
+                    if ((mcu_spi_mosi_list[j].pin == mosi) //only sck and mosi need the same index
+                        && (mcu_spi_sck_list[i].spi_index == mcu_spi_mosi_list[j].spi_index)) {
+                        //keep looking if the SPI is taken, edge case
+                        if(reserved_spi[mcu_spi_sck_list[i].spi_index-1]) {
+                            spi_taken = true;
+                            continue;
+                        }
+                        //store pins if not
+                        self->sck = &mcu_spi_sck_list[i];
+                        self->mosi = &mcu_spi_mosi_list[j];
+                        self->miso = NULL;
+                        break;
+                    }
+                }  
+            } else {
+                //throw an error immediately
+                mp_raise_ValueError(translate("Must provide MISO or MOSI pin"));
             }
         }
     }
 
     //handle typedef selection, errors
-    if(self->sck!=NULL && self->mosi!=NULL && self->miso!=NULL ) {
+    if( (self->sck!=NULL && self->mosi!=NULL && self->miso != NULL) ||
+        (self->sck!=NULL && self->mosi!=NULL && miso == mp_const_none) ||
+        (self->sck!=NULL && self->miso!=NULL && mosi == mp_const_none)) {
         SPIx = mcu_spi_banks[self->sck->spi_index-1];
     } else {
         if (spi_taken) {
@@ -129,26 +174,31 @@ void common_hal_busio_spi_construct(busio_spi_obj_t *self,
     GPIO_InitStruct.Alternate = self->sck->altfn_index; 
     HAL_GPIO_Init(pin_port(sck->port), &GPIO_InitStruct);
 
-    GPIO_InitStruct.Pin = pin_mask(mosi->number);
-    GPIO_InitStruct.Mode = GPIO_MODE_AF_PP;
-    GPIO_InitStruct.Pull = GPIO_NOPULL;
-    GPIO_InitStruct.Speed = GPIO_SPEED_FREQ_VERY_HIGH;
-    GPIO_InitStruct.Alternate = self->mosi->altfn_index; 
-    HAL_GPIO_Init(pin_port(mosi->port), &GPIO_InitStruct);
+    if (self->mosi != NULL) {
+        GPIO_InitStruct.Pin = pin_mask(mosi->number);
+        GPIO_InitStruct.Mode = GPIO_MODE_AF_PP;
+        GPIO_InitStruct.Pull = GPIO_NOPULL;
+        GPIO_InitStruct.Speed = GPIO_SPEED_FREQ_VERY_HIGH;
+        GPIO_InitStruct.Alternate = self->mosi->altfn_index; 
+        HAL_GPIO_Init(pin_port(mosi->port), &GPIO_InitStruct);
+    }
 
-    GPIO_InitStruct.Pin = pin_mask(miso->number);
-    GPIO_InitStruct.Mode = GPIO_MODE_AF_PP;
-    GPIO_InitStruct.Pull = GPIO_NOPULL;
-    GPIO_InitStruct.Speed = GPIO_SPEED_FREQ_VERY_HIGH;
-    GPIO_InitStruct.Alternate = self->miso->altfn_index; 
-    HAL_GPIO_Init(pin_port(miso->port), &GPIO_InitStruct);
+    if (self->miso != NULL) {
+        GPIO_InitStruct.Pin = pin_mask(miso->number);
+        GPIO_InitStruct.Mode = GPIO_MODE_AF_PP;
+        GPIO_InitStruct.Pull = GPIO_NOPULL;
+        GPIO_InitStruct.Speed = GPIO_SPEED_FREQ_VERY_HIGH;
+        GPIO_InitStruct.Alternate = self->miso->altfn_index; 
+        HAL_GPIO_Init(pin_port(miso->port), &GPIO_InitStruct);
+    }
 
     spi_clock_enable(1<<(self->sck->spi_index - 1));
     reserved_spi[self->sck->spi_index - 1] = true;
     
     self->handle.Instance = SPIx; 
     self->handle.Init.Mode = SPI_MODE_MASTER;
-    self->handle.Init.Direction = SPI_DIRECTION_2LINES;
+    // Direction change only required for RX only, see RefMan RM0090:884
+    self->handle.Init.Direction = (self->mosi == NULL) ? SPI_CR1_RXONLY : SPI_DIRECTION_2LINES;
     self->handle.Init.DataSize = SPI_DATASIZE_8BIT;
     self->handle.Init.CLKPolarity = SPI_POLARITY_LOW;
     self->handle.Init.CLKPhase = SPI_PHASE_1EDGE;
@@ -169,8 +219,8 @@ void common_hal_busio_spi_construct(busio_spi_obj_t *self,
     self->bits = 8;
 
     claim_pin(sck);
-    claim_pin(mosi);
-    claim_pin(miso);
+    if (self->mosi != NULL) claim_pin(mosi);
+    if (self->miso != NULL) claim_pin(miso);
 }
 
 void common_hal_busio_spi_never_reset(busio_spi_obj_t *self) {
@@ -178,8 +228,8 @@ void common_hal_busio_spi_never_reset(busio_spi_obj_t *self) {
         if (mcu_spi_banks[i] == self->handle.Instance) {
             never_reset_spi[i] = true;
             never_reset_pin_number(self->sck->pin->port, self->sck->pin->number);
-            never_reset_pin_number(self->mosi->pin->port, self->mosi->pin->number);
-            never_reset_pin_number(self->miso->pin->port, self->miso->pin->number);
+            if (self->mosi != NULL) never_reset_pin_number(self->mosi->pin->port, self->mosi->pin->number);
+            if (self->miso != NULL) never_reset_pin_number(self->miso->pin->port, self->miso->pin->number);
             break;
         }
     }
@@ -195,8 +245,8 @@ void common_hal_busio_spi_deinit(busio_spi_obj_t *self) {
     never_reset_spi[self->sck->spi_index - 1] = false;
 
     reset_pin_number(self->sck->pin->port,self->sck->pin->number);
-    reset_pin_number(self->mosi->pin->port,self->mosi->pin->number);
-    reset_pin_number(self->miso->pin->port,self->miso->pin->number);
+    if (self->mosi != NULL) reset_pin_number(self->mosi->pin->port,self->mosi->pin->number);
+    if (self->miso != NULL) reset_pin_number(self->miso->pin->port,self->miso->pin->number);
     self->sck = mp_const_none;
     self->mosi = mp_const_none;
     self->miso = mp_const_none;
@@ -243,13 +293,6 @@ bool common_hal_busio_spi_configure(busio_spi_obj_t *self,
 
     self->handle.Init.BaudRatePrescaler = stm32_baud_to_spi_div(baudrate, &self->prescaler, 
                                             get_busclock(self->handle.Instance));
-    self->handle.Init.Mode = SPI_MODE_MASTER;
-    self->handle.Init.Direction = SPI_DIRECTION_2LINES;
-    self->handle.Init.NSS = SPI_NSS_SOFT;
-    self->handle.Init.FirstBit = SPI_FIRSTBIT_MSB;
-    self->handle.Init.TIMode = SPI_TIMODE_DISABLE;
-    self->handle.Init.CRCCalculation = SPI_CRCCALCULATION_DISABLE;
-    self->handle.Init.CRCPolynomial = 10;
 
     if (HAL_SPI_Init(&self->handle) != HAL_OK)
     {
@@ -292,18 +335,22 @@ void common_hal_busio_spi_unlock(busio_spi_obj_t *self) {
 
 bool common_hal_busio_spi_write(busio_spi_obj_t *self,
         const uint8_t *data, size_t len) {
+    if (self->mosi == NULL) mp_raise_ValueError(translate("No MOSI Pin"));
     HAL_StatusTypeDef result = HAL_SPI_Transmit (&self->handle, (uint8_t *)data, (uint16_t)len, HAL_MAX_DELAY);
     return result == HAL_OK;
 }
 
 bool common_hal_busio_spi_read(busio_spi_obj_t *self,
         uint8_t *data, size_t len, uint8_t write_value) {
+    if (self->miso == NULL) mp_raise_ValueError(translate("No MISO Pin"));
     HAL_StatusTypeDef result = HAL_SPI_Receive (&self->handle, data, (uint16_t)len, HAL_MAX_DELAY);
     return result == HAL_OK;
 }
 
 bool common_hal_busio_spi_transfer(busio_spi_obj_t *self, 
         uint8_t *data_out, uint8_t *data_in, size_t len) {
+    if (self->miso == NULL) mp_raise_ValueError(translate("No MISO Pin"));
+    if (self->mosi == NULL) mp_raise_ValueError(translate("No MOSI Pin"));
     HAL_StatusTypeDef result = HAL_SPI_TransmitReceive (&self->handle,
         data_out, data_in, (uint16_t)len,HAL_MAX_DELAY);
     return result == HAL_OK;