diff --git a/pico-dashboard/comms/communication_service.py b/pico-dashboard/comms/communication_service.py
index 32a2de1..2c66997 100644
--- a/pico-dashboard/comms/communication_service.py
+++ b/pico-dashboard/comms/communication_service.py
@@ -8,16 +8,30 @@ from .protocol import (
 
 
 class CommunicationService:
-    def __init__(self, uart_client, app_state):
+    def __init__(self, uart_client, app_state, http_client=None):
         self.uart_client = uart_client
+        self.http_client = http_client
         self.app_state = app_state
         self.last_messages = []
+        self.use_http_fallback = False
 
     def request_status(self):
+        if self.use_http_fallback and self.http_client:
+            message = self.http_client.get_status()
+            self.handle_message(message)
+            return message
+
         self.uart_client.send_message(make_status_request())
+        return None
 
     def set_relay(self, relay, enabled):
+        if self.use_http_fallback and self.http_client:
+            message = self.http_client.set_relay(relay, enabled)
+            self.handle_message(message)
+            return message
+
         self.uart_client.send_message(make_set_relay(relay, enabled))
+        return None
 
     def poll(self):
         messages = self.uart_client.read_available_messages()
@@ -28,6 +42,12 @@ class CommunicationService:
 
         return messages
 
+    def enable_http_fallback(self):
+        self.use_http_fallback = True
+
+    def disable_http_fallback(self):
+        self.use_http_fallback = False
+
     def handle_message(self, message):
         if is_status_response(message):
             self.app_state.update_from_status(message)
diff --git a/tests/test_pico_core.py b/tests/test_pico_core.py
index 389e61b..bcdf7cf 100644
--- a/tests/test_pico_core.py
+++ b/tests/test_pico_core.py
@@ -291,3 +291,62 @@ def test_http_client_set_relay_off():
 
     assert fake_requests.urls == ["http://192.168.4.1/relay/fridge/off"]
     assert payload == {"ok": True}
+
+
+def test_communication_service_http_fallback_status():
+    from comms.uart_client import UartClient
+    from comms.http_client import HttpClient
+    from comms.communication_service import CommunicationService
+
+    fake_uart = FakeUart()
+    fake_requests = FakeRequests()
+    fake_requests.responses = [
+        {"type": "status_response", "battery": {"soc": 66}}
+    ]
+
+    state = AppState()
+    service = CommunicationService(
+        UartClient(fake_uart),
+        state,
+        HttpClient(fake_requests),
+    )
+
+    service.enable_http_fallback()
+    response = service.request_status()
+
+    assert response["type"] == "status_response"
+    assert state.battery["soc"] == 66
+    assert fake_uart.writes == []
+    assert fake_requests.urls == ["http://192.168.4.1/status"]
+
+
+def test_communication_service_http_fallback_relay():
+    from comms.uart_client import UartClient
+    from comms.http_client import HttpClient
+    from comms.communication_service import CommunicationService
+
+    fake_uart = FakeUart()
+    fake_requests = FakeRequests()
+    fake_requests.responses = [
+        {
+            "type": "relay_response",
+            "relay": "fridge",
+            "enabled": True,
+            "ok": True,
+        }
+    ]
+
+    state = AppState()
+    service = CommunicationService(
+        UartClient(fake_uart),
+        state,
+        HttpClient(fake_requests),
+    )
+
+    service.enable_http_fallback()
+    response = service.set_relay("fridge", True)
+
+    assert response["type"] == "relay_response"
+    assert state.relays["fridge"] is True
+    assert fake_uart.writes == []
+    assert fake_requests.urls == ["http://192.168.4.1/relay/fridge/on"]