diff --git a/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking_Config.h b/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking_Config.h
index bfc4af537f226d..33fb5055358b6b 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking_Config.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking_Config.h
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@
 #define AP_NETWORKING_DHCP_AVAILABLE    1 // for non-ChibiOS, assume it's available
 #endif
 
+#ifndef AP_NETWORKING_SOCKETS_BROADCAST_ALLOWED
+#define AP_NETWORKING_SOCKETS_BROADCAST_ALLOWED 0
+#endif
 
 // ---------------------------
 // Below are default params
diff --git a/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking_port.cpp b/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking_port.cpp
index f9f7248dba6656..92df2addfbd8f1 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking_port.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking_port.cpp
@@ -93,6 +93,13 @@ void AP_Networking::Port::udp_client_init(const uint32_t size_rx, const uint32_t
     if (sock == nullptr) {
         return;
     }
+    
+#if AP_NETWORKING_SOCKETS_BROADCAST_ALLOWED
+    // TODO: add support for broadcast that is more
+    // secure (example: lock onto first person you hear back from)
+    sock->set_broadcast();
+#endif
+
     if (!hal.scheduler->thread_create(FUNCTOR_BIND_MEMBER(&AP_Networking::Port::udp_client_loop, void), "NET", 2048, AP_HAL::Scheduler::PRIORITY_UART, 0)) {
         AP_BoardConfig::allocation_error("Failed to allocate UDP client thread");
     }