diff --git a/neopixel.py b/neopixel.py
index 6af8d95..9b62818 100644
--- a/neopixel.py
+++ b/neopixel.py
@@ -120,8 +120,11 @@ def __init__(
             if not power:
                 power = getattr(board, "NEOPIXEL_POWER", None)
             if power:
-                self._power = digitalio.DigitalInOut(power)
-                self._power.switch_to_output(value=polarity)
+                try:
+                    self._power = digitalio.DigitalInOut(power)
+                    self._power.switch_to_output(value=polarity)
+                except ValueError:
+                    pass
 
         super().__init__(
             n, brightness=brightness, byteorder=pixel_order, auto_write=auto_write