diff --git a/.github/platformio_release.ini.template b/.github/platformio_release.ini.template
index 499243822b..00709ed027 100644
--- a/.github/platformio_release.ini.template
+++ b/.github/platformio_release.ini.template
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 [platformio]
 default_envs = nodemcuv2
                esp8266_2m
+               esp8266_2m_min
                esp01_1m_full
                nodemcuv2_160
                esp8266_2m_160
diff --git a/platformio.ini b/platformio.ini
index 5fb5e62552..5ff4d9028c 100644
--- a/platformio.ini
+++ b/platformio.ini
@@ -428,6 +428,28 @@ build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp8266.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=
   -D WLED_DISABLE_PARTICLESYSTEM2D
 custom_usermods = audioreactive
 
+[env:esp8266_2m_min]
+;; Minimal-feature build for ESP02 (2MB flash).
+;; Use this to recover from a failed OTA: flash via serial, then OTA-upload the regular esp8266_2m binary.
+;; OTA is intentionally kept enabled. All other optional features are stripped to minimise binary size.
+extends = esp8266
+board = esp_wroom_02
+board_build.ldscript = ${common.ldscript_2m512k}
+build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp8266.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP02_min\"
+  -D WLED_DISABLE_ALEXA
+  -D WLED_DISABLE_HUESYNC
+  -D WLED_DISABLE_INFRARED
+  -D WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
+  -D WLED_DISABLE_ADALIGHT
+  -D WLED_DISABLE_LOXONE
+  -D WLED_DISABLE_WEBSOCKETS
+  -D WLED_DISABLE_ESPNOW
+  -D WLED_DISABLE_2D
+  -D WLED_DISABLE_PARTICLESYSTEM1D
+  -D WLED_DISABLE_PARTICLESYSTEM2D
+  -D WLED_DISABLE_PIXELFORGE
+  -D WLED_DISABLE_IMPROV_WIFISCAN
+
 [env:esp01_1m_full]
 extends = esp8266
 board = esp01_1m