diff --git a/boards/esp32_16MB-poe.json b/boards/esp32_16MB-poe.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a15ef9a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/boards/esp32_16MB-poe.json
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+{
+"build": {
+    "arduino": {
+    "ldscript": "esp32_out.ld"
+    },
+    "core": "esp32",
+    "extra_flags": "-DARDUINO_ESP32_DEV -DARDUINO_ESP32_POE",
+    "f_cpu": "240000000L",
+    "f_flash": "40000000L",
+    "flash_mode": "dio",
+    "mcu": "esp32",
+    "variant": "esp32-poe",
+    "partitions": "partitions_16M.csv"
+},
+"connectivity": [
+    "wifi",
+    "bluetooth",
+    "ethernet",
+    "can"
+],
+"debug": {
+    "openocd_board": "esp-wroom-32.cfg"
+},
+"frameworks": [
+    "arduino",
+    "espidf"
+],
+"name": "ESP32 16MB",
+"upload": {
+    "flash_size": "16MB",
+    "maximum_ram_size": 327680,
+    "maximum_size": 16777216,
+    "require_upload_port": true,
+    "speed": 2000000
+},
+"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESP32",
+"vendor": "Multiple"
+}
diff --git a/platformio.ini b/platformio.ini
index 9e1e7055..0cb0c655 100644
--- a/platformio.ini
+++ b/platformio.ini
@@ -986,7 +986,7 @@ board_build.partitions = tools/WLED_ESP32_16MB.csv         ;; WLED standard for
 extends = esp32_4MB_M_base
 board_build.partitions = tools/WLED_ESP32_16MB.csv         ;; WLED standard for 16MB flash:   2MB firmware, 12 MB filesystem
 ;board_build.partitions = tools/WLED_ESP32_16MB_9MB_FS.csv ;; WLED extended for 16MB flash: 3.2MB firmware,  9 MB filesystem
-board = esp32_16MB
+board = esp32_16MB-poe       ;; needed for ethernet boards (selects "esp32-poe" as variant)
 build_flags = ${esp32_4MB_M_base.build_flags}
   -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=esp32_16MB_M_eth ; This will be included in the firmware.bin filename
   -D WLED_USE_ETHERNET