diff --git a/src/utility/EspDrv.cpp b/src/utility/EspDrv.cpp
index 76b1a61..b3f406f 100644
--- a/src/utility/EspDrv.cpp
+++ b/src/utility/EspDrv.cpp
@@ -72,6 +72,14 @@ void EspDrv::wifiDriverInit(Stream *espSerial)
 	LOGDEBUG(F("> wifiDriverInit"));
 
 	EspDrv::espSerial = espSerial;
+	
+#ifdef WL_HARD_RESET_PIN
+	// Hard reset the ESP8266 to get it into a defined state 
+	pinMode(WL_HARD_RESET_PIN, OUTPUT);
+	digitalWrite(WL_HARD_RESET_PIN, LOW);
+	delay(500);
+	digitalWrite(WL_HARD_RESET_PIN, HIGH);
+#endif
 
 	bool initOK = false;
 	
@@ -115,8 +123,17 @@ void EspDrv::reset()
 {
 	LOGDEBUG(F("> reset"));
 
+#ifdef WL_HARD_RESET_PIN
+	// Issue a hard reset 
+	digitalWrite(WL_HARD_RESET_PIN, LOW);
+	delay(500);
+	digitalWrite(WL_HARD_RESET_PIN, HIGH);
+	delay(2500);
+#else
+	// Issue a soft reset
 	sendCmd(F("AT+RST"));
 	delay(3000);
+#endif
 	espEmptyBuf(false);  // empty dirty characters from the buffer
 
 	// disable echo of commands
diff --git a/src/utility/EspDrv.h b/src/utility/EspDrv.h
index 5c782d9..5ffe54a 100644
--- a/src/utility/EspDrv.h
+++ b/src/utility/EspDrv.h
@@ -25,7 +25,14 @@ along with The Arduino WiFiEsp library.  If not, see
 
 #include "RingBuffer.h"
 
-
+/* 
+ * Pin for ESP8266 hard reset 
+ * Connect this to the ESP8266's CH_PD line (taking care of the voltage
+ * differential, either through a converter or through a resistor bridge,
+ * just like you did for the ESP8266's RX line)
+ * If undefined, we will be relying entirely on soft reset (AT+RST) 
+ */
+//#define WL_HARD_RESET_PIN 10
 
 // Maximum size of a SSID
 #define WL_SSID_MAX_LENGTH 32