diff --git a/src/helpers/esp32/SenseCapHAL.h b/src/helpers/esp32/SenseCapHAL.h
index f55fe1d5d..a7ed4cfbd 100644
--- a/src/helpers/esp32/SenseCapHAL.h
+++ b/src/helpers/esp32/SenseCapHAL.h
@@ -94,13 +94,20 @@ public:
 
   // ── Overrides ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-  // Initialize SPI with the correct pin numbers for SenseCAP Indicator
+  // Initialize SPI with the correct pin numbers for SenseCAP Indicator.
   void spiBegin() override {
     this->spi->begin(_sclk, _miso, _mosi);
     Serial.printf("[SenseCapHAL] SPI begin: SCLK=%d MISO=%d MOSI=%d\n",
                   _sclk, _miso, _mosi);
   }
 
+  // ArduinoHal::init() only calls spiBegin() when initInterface==true,
+  // which is NOT set when an explicit SPIClass& is passed to the constructor.
+  // Override init() to always initialise SPI with our custom pins.
+  void init() override {
+    spiBegin();
+  }
+
   void pinMode(uint32_t pin, uint32_t mode) override {
     if (isExp(pin) && isPort0(pin)) {
       if (mode == OUTPUT) _cfg0 &= ~expBit(pin);