diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3884337..dc40b7e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ everything below, grouped by topic. Comment out what you do not use there.
 | **afc/** | | |
 | `xy_safety_check.cfg` | `AFC_XY_SAFETY_CHECK`, `_AFC_STORE_HOME_REFERENCE`, `AFC_XY_RESUME`: lost-step check around tool changes | `extras/xy_drift.py` (CoreXY) |
 | `lane_tools.cfg` | `LANE_FEED_UNTIL_HUB_OPEN`, `LANE_FEED_ABORT` | AFC |
-| `purge_check.cfg` | `BLOBIFIER_CHECKED`: checks every AFC purge with bd_pressure (and optionally bdwidth motion) | Blobifier, AFC, `extras/bdpressure_check.py` + bd_pressure load-check firmware, `extras/bdwidth_status.py` |
+| `purge_check.cfg` | `BLOBIFIER_CHECKED`: checks every AFC purge with bd_pressure (and optionally bdwidth motion); a bd_pressure that does not answer fails the check, `PURGE_CHECK_IGNORE_SENSOR` lets the current print finish without it | Blobifier, AFC, `extras/bdpressure_check.py` + bd_pressure load-check firmware, `extras/bdwidth_status.py` |
 | `purge_until_empty.cfg` | `PURGE_UNTIL_EMPTY`: purges a snapped filament out until there is no more nozzle pressure | same as `purge_check.cfg` |
 | **pressure_advance/** | | |
 | `bd_pa_spoolman.cfg` + `bd_pa_*.sh` | `LANE_CALIBRATE_PA`, `PA_CALIBRATE_ALL_LANES`, `LANE_RECAL_PA`, `SET_SPOOL_ID`, `PA_STATUS`: pressure advance per lane/spool, cached locally and in Spoolman; a calibration with no result, a pause during the test or too few/stuck sensor readings is rejected and not saved | bd_pressure, AFC, Spoolman, `gcode_shell_command` |
diff --git a/macros/afc/purge_check.cfg b/macros/afc/purge_check.cfg
index 69a9dae..c1707b5 100644
--- a/macros/afc/purge_check.cfg
+++ b/macros/afc/purge_check.cfg
@@ -32,7 +32,10 @@
 [bdwidth_status]
 sensor: fila_width_0
 
-# Remove this section if bdpressure_check.py is not installed
+# Remove this section if bdpressure_check.py is not installed. With it
+# installed, a bd_pressure that does not answer (stock firmware, hung or
+# unplugged sensor) fails the check, so in enforce mode every purge pauses;
+# PURGE_CHECK_IGNORE_SENSOR lets the current print finish without it.
 [bdpressure_check]
 sensor: bd_pa
 
@@ -50,6 +53,7 @@ variable_bdwidth_warmup_ms: 15000
 variable_start_counts: 0
 variable_start_e: 0.0
 variable_last_failed: False    # last check failed in enforce mode (read by _RESUME_PURGE_VERIFY)
+variable_ignore_missing_sensor: False  # set by PURGE_CHECK_IGNORE_SENSOR, cleared at print end
 gcode:
 
 [gcode_macro BLOBIFIER_CHECKED]
@@ -144,8 +148,15 @@ gcode:
             {% if p.longest_ms < cfg.pressure_min_ms %}
                 {% set _ = failed.append("no sustained nozzle pressure") %}
             {% endif %}
+        {% elif 'bdpressure_check' in printer %}
+            {% if cfg.ignore_missing_sensor %}
+                {% set press = "pressure skipped: bd_pressure not answering (ignored, PURGE_CHECK_IGNORE_SENSOR)" %}
+            {% else %}
+                {% set press = "bd_pressure not answering" %}
+                {% set _ = failed.append("bd_pressure not answering (power-cycle the sensor, or PURGE_CHECK_IGNORE_SENSOR to finish this print without the check)") %}
+            {% endif %}
         {% else %}
-            {% set press = "pressure skipped (no check firmware)" %}
+            {% set press = "pressure skipped (no bdpressure_check)" %}
         {% endif %}
         {% set checked = motion_on or 'bdpressure_check' in printer and printer.bdpressure_check.available %}
         {% set verdict = 'FAIL: ' ~ failed|join(', ') if failed else ('OK' if checked else 'NOTHING CHECKED') %}
@@ -156,3 +167,14 @@ gcode:
             PAUSE                       ; no effect while already paused (resume purge): see _RESUME_PURGE_VERIFY
         {% endif %}
     {% endif %}
+
+[gcode_macro PURGE_CHECK_IGNORE_SENSOR]
+description: Let purges pass without bd_pressure until the print ends (ENABLE=0 to undo)
+gcode:
+    {% if params.ENABLE|default(1)|int %}
+        SET_GCODE_VARIABLE MACRO=_PURGE_CHECK_CFG VARIABLE=ignore_missing_sensor VALUE=True
+        RESPOND MSG="PURGE_CHECK: an unavailable bd_pressure is ignored until the print ends (purges are not checked for pressure then)"
+    {% else %}
+        SET_GCODE_VARIABLE MACRO=_PURGE_CHECK_CFG VARIABLE=ignore_missing_sensor VALUE=False
+        RESPOND MSG="PURGE_CHECK: an unavailable bd_pressure fails the check again"
+    {% endif %}
diff --git a/macros/print/print_start_end.cfg b/macros/print/print_start_end.cfg
index 858e78c..f34b1bf 100644
--- a/macros/print/print_start_end.cfg
+++ b/macros/print/print_start_end.cfg
@@ -257,6 +257,9 @@ gcode:
     M221 S100
     BED_MESH_CLEAR
     SET_SKEW CLEAR=1
+    {% if 'gcode_macro _PURGE_CHECK_CFG' in printer %}
+    SET_GCODE_VARIABLE MACRO=_PURGE_CHECK_CFG VARIABLE=ignore_missing_sensor VALUE=False
+    {% endif %}
 
 # Retract/unretract that is remembered across prints and restarts.
 # Klipper's G10 only retracts once until a G11, and nothing sends G11 here,