diff --git a/pio-scripts/output_bins.py b/pio-scripts/output_bins.py
index 633654008d..4d1594d843 100644
--- a/pio-scripts/output_bins.py
+++ b/pio-scripts/output_bins.py
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@ def _create_dirs(dirs=["map", "release", "firmware"]):
         os.makedirs(os.path.join(OUTPUT_DIR, d), exist_ok=True)
 
 def create_release(source):
-    release_name = _get_cpp_define_value(env, "WLED_RELEASE_NAME")
-    if release_name:
+    release_name_def = _get_cpp_define_value(env, "WLED_RELEASE_NAME")
+    if release_name_def:
+        release_name = release_name_def.replace("\\\"", "")
         version = _get_cpp_define_value(env, "WLED_VERSION")
         release_file = os.path.join(OUTPUT_DIR, "release", f"WLED_{version}_{release_name}.bin")
         release_gz_file = release_file + ".gz"
diff --git a/platformio.ini b/platformio.ini
index 6d4aa1dc13..fe02213ff2 100644
--- a/platformio.ini
+++ b/platformio.ini
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ platform = ${common.platform_wled_default}
 platform_packages = ${common.platform_packages}
 board_build.ldscript = ${common.ldscript_4m1m}
 build_unflags = ${common.build_unflags}
-build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp8266.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP8266 #-DWLED_DISABLE_2D
+build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp8266.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP8266\" #-DWLED_DISABLE_2D
 lib_deps = ${esp8266.lib_deps}
 monitor_filters = esp8266_exception_decoder
 
@@ -354,13 +354,13 @@ extends = env:nodemcuv2
 ;; using platform version and build options from WLED 0.14.0
 platform = ${esp8266.platform_compat}
 platform_packages = ${esp8266.platform_packages_compat}
-build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp8266.build_flags_compat} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP8266_compat #-DWLED_DISABLE_2D
+build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp8266.build_flags_compat} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP8266_compat\" #-DWLED_DISABLE_2D
 ;; lib_deps = ${esp8266.lib_deps_compat} ;; experimental - use older NeoPixelBus 2.7.9
 
 [env:nodemcuv2_160]
 extends = env:nodemcuv2
 board_build.f_cpu = 160000000L
-build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp8266.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP8266_160 #-DWLED_DISABLE_2D
+build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp8266.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP8266_160\" #-DWLED_DISABLE_2D
   -D USERMOD_AUDIOREACTIVE
 
 [env:esp8266_2m]
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ platform = ${common.platform_wled_default}
 platform_packages = ${common.platform_packages}
 board_build.ldscript = ${common.ldscript_2m512k}
 build_unflags = ${common.build_unflags}
-build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp8266.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP02
+build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp8266.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP02\"
 lib_deps = ${esp8266.lib_deps}
 
 [env:esp8266_2m_compat]
@@ -377,12 +377,12 @@ extends = env:esp8266_2m
 ;; using platform version and build options from WLED 0.14.0
 platform = ${esp8266.platform_compat}
 platform_packages = ${esp8266.platform_packages_compat}
-build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp8266.build_flags_compat} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP02_compat #-DWLED_DISABLE_2D
+build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp8266.build_flags_compat} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP02_compat\" #-DWLED_DISABLE_2D
 
 [env:esp8266_2m_160]
 extends = env:esp8266_2m
 board_build.f_cpu = 160000000L
-build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp8266.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP02_160
+build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp8266.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP02_160\"
   -D USERMOD_AUDIOREACTIVE
 
 [env:esp01_1m_full]
@@ -391,7 +391,7 @@ platform = ${common.platform_wled_default}
 platform_packages = ${common.platform_packages}
 board_build.ldscript = ${common.ldscript_1m128k}
 build_unflags = ${common.build_unflags}
-build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp8266.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP01 -D WLED_DISABLE_OTA
+build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp8266.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP01\" -D WLED_DISABLE_OTA
   ; -D WLED_USE_REAL_MATH ;; may fix wrong sunset/sunrise times, at the cost of 7064 bytes FLASH and 975 bytes RAM
 lib_deps = ${esp8266.lib_deps}
 
@@ -400,12 +400,12 @@ extends = env:esp01_1m_full
 ;; using platform version and build options from WLED 0.14.0
 platform = ${esp8266.platform_compat}
 platform_packages = ${esp8266.platform_packages_compat}
-build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp8266.build_flags_compat} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP01_compat -D WLED_DISABLE_OTA #-DWLED_DISABLE_2D
+build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp8266.build_flags_compat} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP01_compat\" -D WLED_DISABLE_OTA #-DWLED_DISABLE_2D
 
 [env:esp01_1m_full_160]
 extends = env:esp01_1m_full
 board_build.f_cpu = 160000000L
-build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp8266.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP01_160 -D WLED_DISABLE_OTA
+build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp8266.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP01_160\" -D WLED_DISABLE_OTA
   -D USERMOD_AUDIOREACTIVE
   ; -D WLED_USE_REAL_MATH ;; may fix wrong sunset/sunrise times, at the cost of 7064 bytes FLASH and 975 bytes RAM
 
@@ -414,7 +414,7 @@ board = esp32dev
 platform = ${esp32.platform}
 platform_packages = ${esp32.platform_packages}
 build_unflags = ${common.build_unflags}
-build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP32 #-D WLED_DISABLE_BROWNOUT_DET
+build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP32\" #-D WLED_DISABLE_BROWNOUT_DET
   ${esp32.AR_build_flags}
 lib_deps = ${esp32.lib_deps}
   ${esp32.AR_lib_deps}
@@ -426,7 +426,7 @@ board = esp32dev
 platform = ${esp32_idf_V4.platform}
 platform_packages = ${esp32_idf_V4.platform_packages}
 build_unflags = ${common.build_unflags}
-build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32_idf_V4.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP32_8M #-D WLED_DISABLE_BROWNOUT_DET
+build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32_idf_V4.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP32_8M\" #-D WLED_DISABLE_BROWNOUT_DET
   ${esp32.AR_build_flags}
 lib_deps = ${esp32_idf_V4.lib_deps}
   ${esp32.AR_lib_deps}
@@ -442,7 +442,7 @@ board = esp32dev
 platform = ${esp32_idf_V4.platform}
 platform_packages = ${esp32_idf_V4.platform_packages}
 build_unflags = ${common.build_unflags}
-build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32_idf_V4.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP32_16M #-D WLED_DISABLE_BROWNOUT_DET
+build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32_idf_V4.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP32_16M\" #-D WLED_DISABLE_BROWNOUT_DET
   ${esp32.AR_build_flags}
 lib_deps = ${esp32_idf_V4.lib_deps}
   ${esp32.AR_lib_deps}
@@ -458,7 +458,7 @@ board_build.flash_mode = dio
 ;platform = ${esp32.platform}
 ;platform_packages = ${esp32.platform_packages}
 ;build_unflags = ${common.build_unflags}
-;build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP32_audioreactive #-D WLED_DISABLE_BROWNOUT_DET
+;build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP32_audioreactive\" #-D WLED_DISABLE_BROWNOUT_DET
 ;  ${esp32.AR_build_flags}
 ;lib_deps = ${esp32.lib_deps}
 ;  ${esp32.AR_lib_deps}
@@ -473,7 +473,7 @@ platform = ${esp32.platform}
 platform_packages = ${esp32.platform_packages}
 upload_speed = 921600
 build_unflags = ${common.build_unflags}
-build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP32_Ethernet -D RLYPIN=-1 -D WLED_USE_ETHERNET -D BTNPIN=-1
+build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP32_Ethernet\" -D RLYPIN=-1 -D WLED_USE_ETHERNET -D BTNPIN=-1
 ;  -D WLED_DISABLE_ESPNOW ;; ESP-NOW requires wifi, may crash with ethernet only
   ${esp32.AR_build_flags}
 lib_deps = ${esp32.lib_deps}
@@ -489,7 +489,7 @@ board_build.f_flash = 80000000L
 board_build.flash_mode = qio
 board_build.partitions = ${esp32.extended_partitions}
 build_unflags = ${common.build_unflags}
-build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32_idf_V4.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP32_WROVER
+build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32_idf_V4.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP32_WROVER\"
   -DBOARD_HAS_PSRAM -mfix-esp32-psram-cache-issue ;; Older ESP32 (rev.<3) need a PSRAM fix (increases static RAM used) https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-idf/en/stable/esp32/api-guides/external-ram.html
   -D DATA_PINS=25
   ${esp32.AR_build_flags}
@@ -503,7 +503,7 @@ platform_packages = ${esp32c3.platform_packages}
 framework = arduino
 board = esp32-c3-devkitm-1
 board_build.partitions = ${esp32.default_partitions}
-build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32c3.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP32-C3
+build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32c3.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP32-C3\"
   -D WLED_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT=0
   -DLOLIN_WIFI_FIX ; seems to work much better with this
   -DARDUINO_USB_CDC_ON_BOOT=1 ;; for virtual CDC USB
@@ -520,7 +520,7 @@ platform = ${esp32s3.platform}
 platform_packages = ${esp32s3.platform_packages}
 upload_speed = 921600
 build_unflags = ${common.build_unflags}
-build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32s3.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP32-S3_16MB_opi
+build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32s3.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP32-S3_16MB_opi\"
   -D CONFIG_LITTLEFS_FOR_IDF_3_2 -D WLED_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT=0
   ;-D ARDUINO_USB_CDC_ON_BOOT=0  ;; -D ARDUINO_USB_MODE=1 ;; for boards with serial-to-USB chip
   -D ARDUINO_USB_CDC_ON_BOOT=1 -D ARDUINO_USB_MODE=1      ;; for boards with USB-OTG connector only (USBCDC or "TinyUSB")
@@ -543,7 +543,7 @@ platform = ${esp32s3.platform}
 platform_packages = ${esp32s3.platform_packages}
 upload_speed = 921600
 build_unflags = ${common.build_unflags}
-build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32s3.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP32-S3_8MB_opi
+build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32s3.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP32-S3_8MB_opi\"
   -D CONFIG_LITTLEFS_FOR_IDF_3_2 -D WLED_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT=0
   ;-D ARDUINO_USB_CDC_ON_BOOT=0  ;; -D ARDUINO_USB_MODE=1 ;; for boards with serial-to-USB chip
   -D ARDUINO_USB_CDC_ON_BOOT=1 -D ARDUINO_USB_MODE=1      ;; for boards with USB-OTG connector only (USBCDC or "TinyUSB")
@@ -565,7 +565,7 @@ board = esp32s3camlcd ;; this is the only standard board with "opi_opi"
 board_build.arduino.memory_type = opi_opi
 upload_speed = 921600
 build_unflags = ${common.build_unflags}
-build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32s3.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP32-S3_WROOM-2
+build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32s3.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP32-S3_WROOM-2\"
   -D CONFIG_LITTLEFS_FOR_IDF_3_2 -D WLED_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT=0
   -D ARDUINO_USB_CDC_ON_BOOT=0  ;; -D ARDUINO_USB_MODE=1 ;; for boards with serial-to-USB chip
   ;; -D ARDUINO_USB_CDC_ON_BOOT=1 -D ARDUINO_USB_MODE=1      ;; for boards with USB-OTG connector only (USBCDC or "TinyUSB")
@@ -590,7 +590,7 @@ platform = ${esp32s3.platform}
 platform_packages = ${esp32s3.platform_packages}
 upload_speed = 921600
 build_unflags = ${common.build_unflags}
-build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32s3.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP32-S3_4M_qspi
+build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32s3.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP32-S3_4M_qspi\"
   -DARDUINO_USB_CDC_ON_BOOT=1 -DARDUINO_USB_MODE=1      ;; for boards with USB-OTG connector only (USBCDC or "TinyUSB")
   -DBOARD_HAS_PSRAM
   -DLOLIN_WIFI_FIX ; seems to work much better with this
@@ -611,7 +611,7 @@ board_build.partitions = ${esp32.default_partitions}
 board_build.flash_mode = qio
 board_build.f_flash = 80000000L
 build_unflags = ${common.build_unflags}
-build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32s2.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP32-S2
+build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32s2.build_flags} -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP32-S2\"
   -DARDUINO_USB_CDC_ON_BOOT=1
   -DARDUINO_USB_MSC_ON_BOOT=0
   -DARDUINO_USB_DFU_ON_BOOT=0
diff --git a/platformio_override.sample.ini b/platformio_override.sample.ini
index 8e5fdf0030..a4dea6677c 100644
--- a/platformio_override.sample.ini
+++ b/platformio_override.sample.ini
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp8266.build_flags}
 ; *** To use the below defines/overrides, copy and paste each onto it's own line just below build_flags in the section above.
 ; 
 ; Set a release name that may be used to distinguish required binary for flashing
-;   -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP32_MULTI_USREMODS
+;   -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP32_MULTI_USREMODS\"
 ;
 ; disable specific features
 ;   -D WLED_DISABLE_OTA
diff --git a/wled00/wled.h b/wled00/wled.h
index 2b3a77d24b..fcbc119784 100644
--- a/wled00/wled.h
+++ b/wled00/wled.h
@@ -264,12 +264,12 @@ using PSRAMDynamicJsonDocument = BasicJsonDocument<PSRAM_Allocator>;
   #define WLED_VERSION dev
 #endif
 #ifndef WLED_RELEASE_NAME
-  #define WLED_RELEASE_NAME dev_release
+  #define WLED_RELEASE_NAME "Custom"
 #endif
 
 // Global Variable definitions
 WLED_GLOBAL char versionString[] _INIT(TOSTRING(WLED_VERSION));
-WLED_GLOBAL char releaseString[] _INIT(TOSTRING(WLED_RELEASE_NAME)); // somehow this will not work if using "const char releaseString[]
+WLED_GLOBAL char releaseString[] _INIT(WLED_RELEASE_NAME); // must include the quotes when defining, e.g -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP32_MULTI_USREMODS\"
 #define WLED_CODENAME "Kōsen"
 
 // AP and OTA default passwords (for maximum security change them!)