diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f1937df..91ee73f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -41,7 +41,8 @@ Always make sure you have one of the latest versions of **Arduino core for ESP32
 
 Most DLNA media servers I tested the library with showed some oddities. However, all compatibility issues I ran across have been fixed. Please note the following:
 
-- As of V1.4.0 struct *soapObject_t* has a new string member *protInfo*. If neither url nor id of a media item come with an extension like ".mp3" (e.g. on Denon-HEOS media servers) and therefore the items media type is unclear then this member comes to your rescue. Here an example for a typical protocol info: "http-get:*:audio/mpeg:DLNA.ORG_PN=**MP3**;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=01700000000000000000000000000000". 
+- As of V1.4.0 struct *soapObject_t* by default has a new string member *protInfo*. If neither url nor id of a media item come with an extension like ".mp3" (e.g. on Denon-HEOS media servers) and therefore the media items video/audio format is unclear then this member might come handy. Here an example for a typical protocol info: "http-get:*:audio/mpeg:DLNA.ORG_PN=**MP3**;DLNA.ORG_FLAGS=01700000000000000000000000000000".  
+If *protInfo* is not needed and memory is limited then use build option `NO_PROTOCOL_INFO`.
 
 - As of V1.3.0 a new function _searchServer()_ is available. The function sends UPnP content search requests to media servers asking for a list of objects that match certain criterias, e.g. the objects property _title_ must contain the string "xyz" or the files property _album_ must contain the string "abc", etc. Not all media servers support UPnP content search requests though. More info below.
 
diff --git a/build_opt.h b/build_opt.h
index ae665ee..3afb281 100644
--- a/build_opt.h
+++ b/build_opt.h
@@ -1,2 +1,3 @@
 -DUSE_ETHERNET
--DSHOW_ESP32_MEMORY_STATISTICS
\ No newline at end of file
+-DSHOW_ESP32_MEMORY_STATISTICS
+-DNO_PROTOCOL_INFO
diff --git a/platformio.ini b/platformio.ini
index 9c15bc8..40192f1 100644
--- a/platformio.ini
+++ b/platformio.ini
@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@ build_flags =
 ;  -DSHOW_EMPTY_FILES
 ; when using Ethernet shield/board instead of builtin WiFi	
 ;  -DUSE_ETHERNET
+; if 'protInfo' in struct soapObject_t is not needed
+;  -DNO_PROTOCOL_INFO
 ;
 ; try different partition setting:
 ;board_build.partitions = min_spiffs.csv
@@ -80,4 +82,4 @@ build_flags =
   -DSHOW_ESP32_MEMORY_STATISTICS
 ; picking only a single server for testing
 ;  -DTHIS_IP_ONLY=192,168,1,42
-;
\ No newline at end of file
+;
diff --git a/src/SoapESP32.cpp b/src/SoapESP32.cpp
index 529869f..544ff4c 100644
--- a/src/SoapESP32.cpp
+++ b/src/SoapESP32.cpp
@@ -942,8 +942,8 @@ bool SoapESP32::soapScanItem(const String *parentId,
           log_d("sampleFrequency=%d", info.sampleFrequency);
         }  
       }  
-
-      // media protocol info, gets important when extension e.g. ".mp3" is missing in id and url
+#if !defined(NO_PROTOCOL_INFO)
+      // info about media format, gets important when extension e.g. ".mp3" is missing in id and url
       if (soapScanAttribute(&strAttr, &str, DIDL_ATTR_PROT_INFO)) {
         info.protInfo = str;
         if (info.protInfo.length() == 0) {
@@ -953,7 +953,7 @@ bool SoapESP32::soapScanItem(const String *parentId,
           log_d("protocolInfo=\"%s\"", info.protInfo.c_str());
         }  
       }  
-
+#endif
       gotRes = true;
     }
     i++;
diff --git a/src/SoapESP32.h b/src/SoapESP32.h
index 823ece1..a6e0ff8 100644
--- a/src/SoapESP32.h
+++ b/src/SoapESP32.h
@@ -183,7 +183,9 @@ struct soapObject_t
   String artist;            // for music files
   String album;             // for music files (sometimes folder name when picture file)
   String genre;             // for audio/video files
-  String protInfo;          // for audio/video files, determines the media type (mp3, mp4, etc.)
+#if !defined(NO_PROTOCOL_INFO)
+  String protInfo;          // for audio/video files, holds info about media format (mp3, aac, etc.)
+#endif
   String uri;               // item URI on server, needed for download with readStart()
   IPAddress downloadIp;     // download IP can differ from server IP
   uint16_t downloadPort;    // download port can differ from server control port