diff --git a/make-linux.mk b/make-linux.mk
index d0745fe9a..b777f67ef 100644
--- a/make-linux.mk
+++ b/make-linux.mk
@@ -96,6 +96,10 @@ ifeq ($(ZT_SYNOLOGY), 1)
 	override DEFS+=-D__SYNOLOGY__
 endif
 
+ifeq ($(ZT_DISABLE_COMPRESSION), 1)
+	override DEFS+=-DZT_DISABLE_COMPRESSION
+endif
+
 ifeq ($(ZT_TRACE),1)
 	override DEFS+=-DZT_TRACE
 endif
diff --git a/node/NetworkConfig.hpp b/node/NetworkConfig.hpp
index be8c03ddb..ddad52a56 100644
--- a/node/NetworkConfig.hpp
+++ b/node/NetworkConfig.hpp
@@ -276,10 +276,14 @@ public:
 	 */
 	inline bool disableCompression() const
 	{
-#ifndef ZT_SDK
+#ifndef ZT_DISABLE_COMPRESSION
 		return ((this->flags & ZT_NETWORKCONFIG_FLAG_DISABLE_COMPRESSION) != 0);
 #else
-		return false; // Compression is disabled for SDK builds since it doesn't play nice with lwIP
+		/* Compression is disabled for libzt builds since it causes non-obvious chaotic
+		interference with lwIP's TCP congestion algorithm. Compression is also disabled
+		for some NAS builds due to the usage of low-performance processors in certain
+		older and budget models. */
+		return false;
 #endif
 	}