diff --git a/src/mesh/RadioLibInterface.cpp b/src/mesh/RadioLibInterface.cpp
index 7ef707e0d..6024d06b6 100644
--- a/src/mesh/RadioLibInterface.cpp
+++ b/src/mesh/RadioLibInterface.cpp
@@ -46,6 +46,16 @@ RadioLibInterface::RadioLibInterface(LockingArduinoHal *hal, RADIOLIB_PIN_TYPE c
 #endif
 }
 
+RadioLibInterface::~RadioLibInterface()
+{
+    // If the static `instance` pointer still references us, clear it.
+    // A later successful init() may have replaced `instance` with a newer
+    // interface — don't clobber that case.
+    if (instance == this) {
+        instance = nullptr;
+    }
+}
+
 #ifdef ARCH_ESP32
 // ESP32 doesn't use that flag
 #define YIELD_FROM_ISR(x) portYIELD_FROM_ISR()
diff --git a/src/mesh/RadioLibInterface.h b/src/mesh/RadioLibInterface.h
index 310ca76bb..2859558ed 100644
--- a/src/mesh/RadioLibInterface.h
+++ b/src/mesh/RadioLibInterface.h
@@ -136,6 +136,13 @@ class RadioLibInterface : public RadioInterface, protected concurrency::Notified
     RadioLibInterface(LockingArduinoHal *hal, RADIOLIB_PIN_TYPE cs, RADIOLIB_PIN_TYPE irq, RADIOLIB_PIN_TYPE rst,
                       RADIOLIB_PIN_TYPE busy, PhysicalLayer *iface = NULL);
 
+    /**
+     * Clear the static `instance` pointer if it still points at us, so callers
+     * that check `RadioLibInterface::instance != nullptr` don't dereference a
+     * freed object after a failed init() + unique_ptr reset.
+     */
+    virtual ~RadioLibInterface();
+
     virtual ErrorCode send(meshtastic_MeshPacket *p) override;
 
     /**