diff --git a/meshtastic/deviceonly.proto b/meshtastic/deviceonly.proto
index b3fb4407..91367bf8 100644
--- a/meshtastic/deviceonly.proto
+++ b/meshtastic/deviceonly.proto
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ message NodeInfoLite {
   /*
    * Number of hops away from us this node is (0 if adjacent)
    */
-  uint32 hops_away = 9;
+  optional uint32 hops_away = 9;
 
   /*
    * True if node is in our favorites list
diff --git a/meshtastic/mesh.proto b/meshtastic/mesh.proto
index 227d3a7a..6a487e73 100644
--- a/meshtastic/mesh.proto
+++ b/meshtastic/mesh.proto
@@ -1316,7 +1316,7 @@ message NodeInfo {
   /*
    * Number of hops away from us this node is (0 if adjacent)
    */
-  uint32 hops_away = 9;
+  optional uint32 hops_away = 9;
 
   /*
    * True if node is in our favorites list