diff --git a/meshtastic/deviceonly.proto b/meshtastic/deviceonly.proto
index b3fb440..91367bf 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