diff --git a/components/mdns/mdns.c b/components/mdns/mdns.c
index f4d201ee86..244c6b5a02 100644
--- a/components/mdns/mdns.c
+++ b/components/mdns/mdns.c
@@ -1358,7 +1358,7 @@ static uint8_t _mdns_append_answer(uint8_t *packet, uint16_t *index, mdns_out_an
     } else if (answer->type == MDNS_TYPE_A) {
         if (answer->host == &_mdns_self_host) {
             esp_netif_ip_info_t if_ip_info;
-            if (!_mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V4].pcb && _mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V4].state != PCB_DUP) {
+            if (!mdns_is_netif_ready(tcpip_if, MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V4) && _mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V4].state != PCB_DUP) {
                 return 0;
             }
             if (esp_netif_get_ip_info(_mdns_get_esp_netif(tcpip_if), &if_ip_info)) {
@@ -1387,8 +1387,7 @@ static uint8_t _mdns_append_answer(uint8_t *packet, uint16_t *index, mdns_out_an
         if (answer->host == &_mdns_self_host) {
             struct esp_ip6_addr if_ip6s[NETIF_IPV6_MAX_NUMS];
             uint8_t count = 0;
-            if (!_mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V6].pcb &&
-                    _mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V6].state != PCB_DUP) {
+            if (!mdns_is_netif_ready(tcpip_if, MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V6) && _mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V6].state != PCB_DUP) {
                 return 0;
             }
             count = esp_netif_get_all_ip6(_mdns_get_esp_netif(tcpip_if), if_ip6s);
@@ -2275,7 +2274,7 @@ static void _mdns_send_bye(mdns_srv_item_t **services, size_t len, bool include_
 
     for (i = 0; i < MDNS_MAX_INTERFACES; i++) {
         for (j = 0; j < MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_MAX; j++) {
-            if (_mdns_server->interfaces[i].pcbs[j].pcb && _mdns_server->interfaces[i].pcbs[j].state == PCB_RUNNING) {
+            if (mdns_is_netif_ready(i, j) && _mdns_server->interfaces[i].pcbs[j].state == PCB_RUNNING) {
                 _mdns_pcb_send_bye((mdns_if_t)i, (mdns_ip_protocol_t)j, services, len, include_ip);
             }
         }
@@ -2289,7 +2288,7 @@ static void _mdns_announce_pcb(mdns_if_t tcpip_if, mdns_ip_protocol_t ip_protoco
 {
     mdns_pcb_t *_pcb = &_mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[ip_protocol];
     size_t i;
-    if (_pcb->pcb) {
+    if (mdns_is_netif_ready(tcpip_if, ip_protocol)) {
         if (PCB_STATE_IS_PROBING(_pcb)) {
             _mdns_init_pcb_probe(tcpip_if, ip_protocol, services, len, include_ip);
         } else if (PCB_STATE_IS_ANNOUNCING(_pcb)) {
@@ -2333,7 +2332,7 @@ static void _mdns_probe_all_pcbs(mdns_srv_item_t **services, size_t len, bool pr
     uint8_t i, j;
     for (i = 0; i < MDNS_MAX_INTERFACES; i++) {
         for (j = 0; j < MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_MAX; j++) {
-            if (_mdns_server->interfaces[i].pcbs[j].pcb) {
+            if (mdns_is_netif_ready(i, j)) {
                 mdns_pcb_t *_pcb = &_mdns_server->interfaces[i].pcbs[j];
                 if (clear_old_probe) {
                     free(_pcb->probe_services);
@@ -2628,7 +2627,7 @@ static void _mdns_remove_scheduled_service_packets(mdns_service_t *service)
 
 
         mdns_pcb_t *_pcb = &_mdns_server->interfaces[q->tcpip_if].pcbs[q->ip_protocol];
-        if (_pcb->pcb) {
+        if (mdns_is_netif_ready(q->tcpip_if, q->ip_protocol)) {
             if (PCB_STATE_IS_PROBING(_pcb)) {
                 uint8_t i;
                 //check if we are probing this service
@@ -2829,6 +2828,22 @@ static int _mdns_check_txt_collision(mdns_service_t *service, const uint8_t *dat
     return 0;//same
 }
 
+static esp_err_t mdns_pcb_deinit_local(mdns_if_t tcpip_if, mdns_ip_protocol_t ip_proto)
+{
+    esp_err_t err = _mdns_pcb_deinit(tcpip_if, ip_proto);
+    mdns_pcb_t *_pcb = &_mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[ip_proto];
+    if (_pcb == NULL || err != ESP_OK) {
+        return err;
+    }
+    free(_pcb->probe_services);
+    _pcb->state = PCB_OFF;
+    _pcb->probe_ip = false;
+    _pcb->probe_services = NULL;
+    _pcb->probe_services_len = 0;
+    _pcb->probe_running = false;
+    _pcb->failed_probes = 0;
+    return ESP_OK;
+}
 /**
  * @brief  Set interface as duplicate if another is found on the same subnet
  */
@@ -2840,11 +2855,11 @@ static void _mdns_dup_interface(mdns_if_t tcpip_if)
         return; // no other interface found
     }
     for (i = 0; i < MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_MAX; i++) {
-        if (_mdns_server->interfaces[other_if].pcbs[i].pcb) {
+        if (mdns_is_netif_ready(other_if, i)) {
             //stop this interface and mark as dup
-            if (_mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[i].pcb) {
+            if (mdns_is_netif_ready(tcpip_if, i)) {
                 _mdns_clear_pcb_tx_queue_head(tcpip_if, i);
-                _mdns_pcb_deinit(tcpip_if, i);
+                mdns_pcb_deinit_local(tcpip_if, i);
             }
             _mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[i].state = PCB_DUP;
             _mdns_announce_pcb(other_if, i, NULL, 0, true);
@@ -3984,8 +3999,9 @@ void mdns_parse_packet(mdns_rx_packet_t *packet)
  */
 void _mdns_enable_pcb(mdns_if_t tcpip_if, mdns_ip_protocol_t ip_protocol)
 {
-    if (!_mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[ip_protocol].pcb) {
+    if (!mdns_is_netif_ready(tcpip_if, ip_protocol)) {
         if (_mdns_pcb_init(tcpip_if, ip_protocol)) {
+            _mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[ip_protocol].failed_probes = 0;
             return;
         }
     }
@@ -3999,9 +4015,9 @@ void _mdns_disable_pcb(mdns_if_t tcpip_if, mdns_ip_protocol_t ip_protocol)
 {
     _mdns_clean_netif_ptr(tcpip_if);
 
-    if (_mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[ip_protocol].pcb) {
+    if (mdns_is_netif_ready(tcpip_if, ip_protocol)) {
         _mdns_clear_pcb_tx_queue_head(tcpip_if, ip_protocol);
-        _mdns_pcb_deinit(tcpip_if, ip_protocol);
+        mdns_pcb_deinit_local(tcpip_if, ip_protocol);
         mdns_if_t other_if = _mdns_get_other_if (tcpip_if);
         if (other_if != MDNS_MAX_INTERFACES && _mdns_server->interfaces[other_if].pcbs[ip_protocol].state == PCB_DUP) {
             _mdns_server->interfaces[other_if].pcbs[ip_protocol].state = PCB_OFF;
@@ -4669,7 +4685,7 @@ static mdns_tx_packet_t *_mdns_create_search_packet(mdns_search_once_t *search,
 static void _mdns_search_send_pcb(mdns_search_once_t *search, mdns_if_t tcpip_if, mdns_ip_protocol_t ip_protocol)
 {
     mdns_tx_packet_t *packet = NULL;
-    if (_mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[ip_protocol].pcb && _mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[ip_protocol].state > PCB_INIT) {
+    if (mdns_is_netif_ready(tcpip_if, ip_protocol) && _mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[ip_protocol].state > PCB_INIT) {
         packet = _mdns_create_search_packet(search, tcpip_if, ip_protocol);
         if (!packet) {
             return;
@@ -5483,7 +5499,7 @@ void mdns_free(void)
     _mdns_service_task_stop();
     for (i = 0; i < MDNS_MAX_INTERFACES; i++) {
         for (j = 0; j < MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_MAX; j++) {
-            _mdns_pcb_deinit(i, j);
+            mdns_pcb_deinit_local(i, j);
         }
     }
     free((char *)_mdns_server->hostname);
diff --git a/components/mdns/mdns_networking_lwip.c b/components/mdns/mdns_networking_lwip.c
index 6e16809dd1..402f120539 100644
--- a/components/mdns/mdns_networking_lwip.c
+++ b/components/mdns/mdns_networking_lwip.c
@@ -21,16 +21,26 @@
 #include "mdns_networking.h"
 #include "esp_netif_net_stack.h"
 
-extern mdns_server_t *_mdns_server;
-
 /*
  * MDNS Server Networking
  *
  */
-static const char *TAG = "mdns_networking";
+enum interface_protocol {
+    PROTO_IPV4 = 1 << MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V4,
+    PROTO_IPV6 = 1 << MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V6
+};
+
+typedef struct interfaces {
+    bool ready;
+    int proto;
+} interfaces_t;
+
+static interfaces_t s_interfaces[MDNS_MAX_INTERFACES];
 
 static struct udp_pcb *_pcb_main = NULL;
 
+static const char *TAG = "mdns_networking";
+
 static void _udp_recv(void *arg, struct udp_pcb *upcb, struct pbuf *pb, const ip_addr_t *raddr, uint16_t rport);
 
 /**
@@ -53,7 +63,7 @@ static esp_err_t _udp_pcb_main_init(void)
     _pcb_main->mcast_ttl = 255;
     _pcb_main->remote_port = MDNS_SERVICE_PORT;
     ip_addr_copy(_pcb_main->remote_ip, *(IP_ANY_TYPE));
-    udp_recv(_pcb_main, &_udp_recv, _mdns_server);
+    udp_recv(_pcb_main, &_udp_recv, NULL);
     return ESP_OK;
 }
 
@@ -168,29 +178,26 @@ static void _udp_recv(void *arg, struct udp_pcb *upcb, struct pbuf *pb, const ip
 
         //lwip does not return the proper pcb if you have more than one for the same multicast address (but different interfaces)
         struct netif *netif = NULL;
-        struct udp_pcb *pcb = NULL;
+        bool found = false;
         for (i = 0; i < MDNS_MAX_INTERFACES; i++) {
-            pcb = _mdns_server->interfaces[i].pcbs[packet->ip_protocol].pcb;
             netif = esp_netif_get_netif_impl(_mdns_get_esp_netif(i));
-            if (pcb && netif && netif == ip_current_input_netif ()) {
+            if (s_interfaces[i].proto && netif && netif == ip_current_input_netif ()) {
                 if (packet->src.type == IPADDR_TYPE_V4) {
 #if CONFIG_LWIP_IPV6
                     if ((packet->src.u_addr.ip4.addr & netif->netmask.u_addr.ip4.addr) != (netif->ip_addr.u_addr.ip4.addr & netif->netmask.u_addr.ip4.addr)) {
 #else
                     if ((packet->src.u_addr.ip4.addr & netif->netmask.addr) != (netif->ip_addr.addr & netif->netmask.addr)) {
 #endif                  //packet source is not in the same subnet
-                        pcb = NULL;
                         break;
                     }
                 }
                 packet->tcpip_if = i;
+                found = true;
                 break;
             }
-            pcb = NULL;
         }
 
-        if (!pcb || !_mdns_server || !_mdns_server->action_queue
-                || _mdns_send_rx_action(packet) != ESP_OK) {
+        if (!found || _mdns_send_rx_action(packet) != ESP_OK) {
             pbuf_free(this_pb);
             free(packet);
         }
@@ -198,6 +205,12 @@ static void _udp_recv(void *arg, struct udp_pcb *upcb, struct pbuf *pb, const ip
 
 }
 
+bool mdns_is_netif_ready(mdns_if_t netif, mdns_ip_protocol_t ip_proto)
+{
+    return s_interfaces[netif].ready &&
+           s_interfaces[netif].proto & (ip_proto == MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V4 ? PROTO_IPV4 : PROTO_IPV6);
+}
+
 /**
  * @brief  Check if any of the interfaces is up
  */
@@ -206,7 +219,7 @@ static bool _udp_pcb_is_in_use(void)
     int i, p;
     for (i = 0; i < MDNS_MAX_INTERFACES; i++) {
         for (p = 0; p < MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_MAX; p++) {
-            if (_mdns_server->interfaces[i].pcbs[p].pcb) {
+            if (mdns_is_netif_ready(i, p)) {
                 return true;
             }
         }
@@ -219,19 +232,9 @@ static bool _udp_pcb_is_in_use(void)
  */
 static void _udp_pcb_deinit(mdns_if_t tcpip_if, mdns_ip_protocol_t ip_protocol)
 {
-    if (!_mdns_server) {
-        return;
-    }
-    mdns_pcb_t *_pcb = &_mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[ip_protocol];
-    if (_pcb->pcb) {
-        free(_pcb->probe_services);
-        _pcb->state = PCB_OFF;
-        _pcb->pcb = NULL;
-        _pcb->probe_ip = false;
-        _pcb->probe_services = NULL;
-        _pcb->probe_services_len = 0;
-        _pcb->probe_running = false;
-        _pcb->failed_probes = 0;
+    s_interfaces[tcpip_if].proto &= ~(ip_protocol == MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V4 ? PROTO_IPV4 : PROTO_IPV6);
+    if (s_interfaces[tcpip_if].proto == 0) {
+        s_interfaces[tcpip_if].ready = false;
         _udp_join_group(tcpip_if, ip_protocol, false);
         if (!_udp_pcb_is_in_use()) {
             _udp_pcb_main_deinit();
@@ -244,7 +247,7 @@ static void _udp_pcb_deinit(mdns_if_t tcpip_if, mdns_ip_protocol_t ip_protocol)
  */
 static esp_err_t _udp_pcb_init(mdns_if_t tcpip_if, mdns_ip_protocol_t ip_protocol)
 {
-    if (!_mdns_server || _mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[ip_protocol].pcb) {
+    if (mdns_is_netif_ready(tcpip_if, ip_protocol)) {
         return ESP_ERR_INVALID_STATE;
     }
 
@@ -257,9 +260,9 @@ static esp_err_t _udp_pcb_init(mdns_if_t tcpip_if, mdns_ip_protocol_t ip_protoco
     if (err) {
         return err;
     }
+    s_interfaces[tcpip_if].proto |= (ip_protocol == MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V4 ? PROTO_IPV4 : PROTO_IPV6);
+    s_interfaces[tcpip_if].ready = true;
 
-    _mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[ip_protocol].pcb = _pcb_main;
-    _mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[ip_protocol].failed_probes = 0;
     return ESP_OK;
 }
 
@@ -323,14 +326,13 @@ static err_t _mdns_udp_pcb_write_api(struct tcpip_api_call_data *api_call_msg)
 {
     void *nif = NULL;
     mdns_api_call_t *msg = (mdns_api_call_t *)api_call_msg;
-    mdns_pcb_t *_pcb = &_mdns_server->interfaces[msg->tcpip_if].pcbs[msg->ip_protocol];
     nif = esp_netif_get_netif_impl(_mdns_get_esp_netif(msg->tcpip_if));
-    if (!nif) {
+    if (!nif || !mdns_is_netif_ready(msg->tcpip_if, msg->ip_protocol) || _pcb_main == NULL) {
         pbuf_free(msg->pbt);
         msg->err = ERR_IF;
         return ERR_IF;
     }
-    esp_err_t err = udp_sendto_if (_pcb->pcb, msg->pbt, msg->ip, msg->port, (struct netif *)nif);
+    esp_err_t err = udp_sendto_if (_pcb_main, msg->pbt, msg->ip, msg->port, (struct netif *)nif);
     pbuf_free(msg->pbt);
     msg->err = err;
     return err;
diff --git a/components/mdns/mdns_networking_socket.c b/components/mdns/mdns_networking_socket.c
index d996b84422..2a62de384e 100644
--- a/components/mdns/mdns_networking_socket.c
+++ b/components/mdns/mdns_networking_socket.c
@@ -27,7 +27,17 @@
 #include <net/if.h>
 #endif
 
-extern mdns_server_t *_mdns_server;
+enum interface_protocol {
+    PROTO_IPV4 = 1 << MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V4,
+    PROTO_IPV6 = 1 << MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V6
+};
+
+typedef struct interfaces {
+    int sock;
+    int proto;
+} interfaces_t;
+
+static interfaces_t s_interfaces[MDNS_MAX_INTERFACES];
 
 static const char *TAG = "mdns_networking";
 static bool s_run_sock_recv_task = false;
@@ -47,28 +57,22 @@ struct pbuf  {
 #define s6_addr32 un.u32_addr
 #endif // CONFIG_IDF_TARGET_LINUX
 
-static void delete_socket(int sock)
+static void __attribute__((constructor)) ctor_networking_socket(void)
 {
-    close(sock);
+    for (int i = 0; i < sizeof(s_interfaces) / sizeof(s_interfaces[0]); ++i) {
+        s_interfaces[i].sock = -1;
+        s_interfaces[i].proto = 0;
+    }
 }
 
-static struct udp_pcb *sock_to_pcb(int sock)
+static void delete_socket(int sock)
 {
-    if (sock < 0) {
-        return NULL;
-    }
-    // Note: sock=0 is a valid descriptor, so save it as +1 ("1" is a valid pointer)
-    intptr_t sock_plus_one = sock + 1;
-    return (struct udp_pcb *)sock_plus_one;
+    close(sock);
 }
 
-static int pcb_to_sock(struct udp_pcb *pcb)
+bool mdns_is_netif_ready(mdns_if_t tcpip_if, mdns_ip_protocol_t ip_protocol)
 {
-    if (pcb == NULL) {
-        return -1;
-    }
-    intptr_t sock_plus_one = (intptr_t)pcb;
-    return sock_plus_one - 1;
+    return s_interfaces[tcpip_if].proto & (ip_protocol == MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V4 ? PROTO_IPV4 : PROTO_IPV6);
 }
 
 void *_mdns_get_packet_data(mdns_rx_packet_t *packet)
@@ -90,24 +94,18 @@ void _mdns_packet_free(mdns_rx_packet_t *packet)
 
 esp_err_t _mdns_pcb_deinit(mdns_if_t tcpip_if, mdns_ip_protocol_t ip_protocol)
 {
-    struct udp_pcb *pcb = _mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[ip_protocol].pcb;
-    _mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[ip_protocol].pcb = NULL;
-    if (_mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V4].pcb == NULL &&
-            _mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V6].pcb == NULL) {
-        // if the interface for both protocol uninitialized, close the interface socket
-        int sock = pcb_to_sock(pcb);
-        if (sock >= 0) {
-            delete_socket(sock);
+    s_interfaces[tcpip_if].proto &= ~(ip_protocol == MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V4 ? PROTO_IPV4 : PROTO_IPV6);
+    if (s_interfaces[tcpip_if].proto == 0) {
+        // if the interface for both protocols uninitialized, close the interface socket
+        if (s_interfaces[tcpip_if].sock >= 0) {
+            delete_socket(s_interfaces[tcpip_if].sock);
         }
     }
 
     for (int i = 0; i < MDNS_MAX_INTERFACES; i++) {
-        for (int j = 0; j < MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_MAX; j++) {
-            if (_mdns_server->interfaces[i].pcbs[j].pcb)
-                // If any of the interfaces/protocol initialized
-            {
-                return ESP_OK;
-            }
+        if (s_interfaces[i].sock >= 0) {
+            // If any of the interfaces initialized
+            return ESP_OK;
         }
     }
 
@@ -191,7 +189,10 @@ static inline size_t espaddr_to_inet(const esp_ip_addr_t *addr, const uint16_t p
 
 size_t _mdns_udp_pcb_write(mdns_if_t tcpip_if, mdns_ip_protocol_t ip_protocol, const esp_ip_addr_t *ip, uint16_t port, uint8_t *data, size_t len)
 {
-    int sock = pcb_to_sock(_mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[ip_protocol].pcb);
+    if (!(s_interfaces[tcpip_if].proto & (ip_protocol == MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V4 ? PROTO_IPV4 : PROTO_IPV6))) {
+        return 0;
+    }
+    int sock = s_interfaces[tcpip_if].sock;
     if (sock < 0) {
         return 0;
     }
@@ -250,12 +251,10 @@ void sock_recv_task(void *arg)
         FD_ZERO(&rfds);
         int max_sock = -1;
         for (int i = 0; i < MDNS_MAX_INTERFACES; i++) {
-            for (int j = 0; j < MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_MAX; j++) {
-                int sock = pcb_to_sock(_mdns_server->interfaces[i].pcbs[j].pcb);
-                if (sock >= 0) {
-                    FD_SET(sock, &rfds);
-                    max_sock = MAX(max_sock, sock);
-                }
+            int sock = s_interfaces[i].sock;
+            if (sock >= 0) {
+                FD_SET(sock, &rfds);
+                max_sock = MAX(max_sock, sock);
             }
         }
         if (max_sock < 0) {
@@ -270,11 +269,7 @@ void sock_recv_task(void *arg)
             break;
         } else if (s > 0) {
             for (int tcpip_if = 0; tcpip_if < MDNS_MAX_INTERFACES; tcpip_if++) {
-                // Both protocols share once socket
-                int sock = pcb_to_sock(_mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V4].pcb);
-                if (sock < 0) {
-                    sock = pcb_to_sock(_mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V6].pcb);
-                }
+                int sock = s_interfaces[tcpip_if].sock;
                 if (sock < 0) {
                     continue;
                 }
@@ -323,7 +318,7 @@ void sock_recv_task(void *arg)
                     packet->dest.type = packet->src.type;
                     packet->ip_protocol =
                         packet->src.type == ESP_IPADDR_TYPE_V4 ? MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V4 : MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V6;
-                    if (!_mdns_server || !_mdns_server->action_queue || _mdns_send_rx_action(packet) != ESP_OK) {
+                    if (_mdns_send_rx_action(packet) != ESP_OK) {
                         ESP_LOGE(TAG, "_mdns_send_rx_action failed!");
                         free(packet->pb->payload);
                         free(packet->pb);
@@ -344,39 +339,43 @@ static void mdns_networking_init(void)
     }
 }
 
-static struct udp_pcb *create_pcb(mdns_if_t tcpip_if, mdns_ip_protocol_t ip_protocol)
+static bool create_pcb(mdns_if_t tcpip_if, mdns_ip_protocol_t ip_protocol)
 {
-    if (_mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[ip_protocol].pcb) {
-        return _mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[ip_protocol].pcb;
+    if (s_interfaces[tcpip_if].proto & (ip_protocol == MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V4 ? PROTO_IPV4 : PROTO_IPV6)) {
+        return true;
     }
-    mdns_ip_protocol_t other_ip_proto = ip_protocol == MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V4 ? MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V6 : MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V4;
+    int sock = s_interfaces[tcpip_if].sock;
     esp_netif_t *netif = _mdns_get_esp_netif(tcpip_if);
-    if (_mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[other_ip_proto].pcb) {
-        struct udp_pcb *other_pcb = _mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[other_ip_proto].pcb;
-        int err = join_mdns_multicast_group(pcb_to_sock(other_pcb), netif, ip_protocol);
+    if (sock >= 0) {
+        mdns_ip_protocol_t other_ip_proto = ip_protocol == MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V4 ? MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V6 : MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V4;
+        int err = join_mdns_multicast_group(sock, netif, other_ip_proto);
         if (err < 0) {
             ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Failed to add ipv6 multicast group for protocol %d", ip_protocol);
-            return NULL;
+            return false;
         }
-        return other_pcb;
+        s_interfaces[tcpip_if].proto |= (other_ip_proto == MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V4 ? PROTO_IPV4 : PROTO_IPV6);
+        return true;
     }
-    int sock = create_socket(netif);
+    sock = create_socket(netif);
     if (sock < 0) {
         ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Failed to create the socket!");
-        return NULL;
+        return false;
     }
     int err = join_mdns_multicast_group(sock, netif, ip_protocol);
     if (err < 0) {
         ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Failed to add ipv6 multicast group for protocol %d", ip_protocol);
     }
-    return sock_to_pcb(sock);
+    s_interfaces[tcpip_if].proto |= (ip_protocol == MDNS_IP_PROTOCOL_V4 ? PROTO_IPV4 : PROTO_IPV6);
+    s_interfaces[tcpip_if].sock = sock;
+    return true;
 }
 
 esp_err_t _mdns_pcb_init(mdns_if_t tcpip_if, mdns_ip_protocol_t ip_protocol)
 {
     ESP_LOGI(TAG, "_mdns_pcb_init(tcpip_if=%d, ip_protocol=%d)", tcpip_if, ip_protocol);
-    _mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[ip_protocol].pcb = create_pcb(tcpip_if, ip_protocol);
-    _mdns_server->interfaces[tcpip_if].pcbs[ip_protocol].failed_probes = 0;
+    if (!create_pcb(tcpip_if, ip_protocol)) {
+        return ESP_FAIL;
+    }
 
     mdns_networking_init();
     return ESP_OK;
diff --git a/components/mdns/private_include/mdns_networking.h b/components/mdns/private_include/mdns_networking.h
index 3ab8dc757f..83cbe90cc9 100644
--- a/components/mdns/private_include/mdns_networking.h
+++ b/components/mdns/private_include/mdns_networking.h
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2022 Espressif Systems (Shanghai) CO LTD
+ * SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2022-2023 Espressif Systems (Shanghai) CO LTD
  *
  * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
  */
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@
  */
 esp_err_t _mdns_send_rx_action(mdns_rx_packet_t *packet);
 
+bool mdns_is_netif_ready(mdns_if_t tcpip_if, mdns_ip_protocol_t ip_protocol);
+
 /**
  * @brief  Start PCB
  */
diff --git a/components/mdns/private_include/mdns_private.h b/components/mdns/private_include/mdns_private.h
index b0368a95bb..d613e006bd 100644
--- a/components/mdns/private_include/mdns_private.h
+++ b/components/mdns/private_include/mdns_private.h
@@ -347,7 +347,6 @@ typedef struct mdns_tx_packet_s {
 
 typedef struct {
     mdns_pcb_state_t state;
-    struct udp_pcb *pcb;
     mdns_srv_item_t **probe_services;
     uint8_t probe_services_len;
     uint8_t probe_ip;
diff --git a/components/mdns/tests/test_afl_fuzz_host/mdns_mock.h b/components/mdns/tests/test_afl_fuzz_host/mdns_mock.h
index e5cb3df787..d37da92968 100644
--- a/components/mdns/tests/test_afl_fuzz_host/mdns_mock.h
+++ b/components/mdns/tests/test_afl_fuzz_host/mdns_mock.h
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2022 Espressif Systems (Shanghai) CO LTD
+ * SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2022-2023 Espressif Systems (Shanghai) CO LTD
  *
  * SPDX-License-Identifier: Unlicense OR CC0-1.0
  */
@@ -24,3 +24,8 @@ static inline void _mdns_packet_free(mdns_rx_packet_t *packet)
     free(packet->pb);
     free(packet);
 }
+
+static inline bool mdns_is_netif_ready(mdns_if_t tcpip_if, mdns_ip_protocol_t ip_protocol)
+{
+    return true;
+}