diff --git a/ferris/config.h b/ferris/config.h
index 199afca..b37cf1d 100644
--- a/ferris/config.h
+++ b/ferris/config.h
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@
 
 #pragma once
 
+// no more than 8 layers
+#define LAYER_STATE_8BIT
+
 // we don't use one shots
 #define NO_ACTION_ONESHOT
 
diff --git a/planck/config.h b/planck/config.h
index ee9f9fb..2ff606b 100644
--- a/planck/config.h
+++ b/planck/config.h
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@
 
 #pragma once
 
+// no more than 8 layers
+#define LAYER_STATE_8BIT
+
 // we don't use one shots
 #define NO_ACTION_ONESHOT