diff --git a/build.sh b/build.sh
index b9b3ac45..d65bd23f 100755
--- a/build.sh
+++ b/build.sh
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ function main
 
   local build_ipc_msg="ON"
   local enable_alsa="ON"
+  local enable_pulseaudio="ON"
   local enable_i3="ON"
   local enable_network="ON"
   local enable_mpd="ON"
@@ -41,6 +42,8 @@ function main
   [[ "${p^^}" != "Y" ]] && enable_i3="OFF"
   read -r -p "$(msg "Include support for \"internal/volume\" (requires alsalib) ---------- [Y/n]: ")" -n 1 p && echo
   [[ "${p^^}" != "Y" ]] && enable_alsa="OFF"
+  read -r -p "$(msg "Include support for \"internal/volume\" (requires libpulse) --------- [Y/n]: ")" -n 1 p && echo
+  [[ "${p^^}" != "Y" ]] && enable_pulseaudio="OFF"
   read -r -p "$(msg "Include support for \"internal/network\" (requires wireless_tools) -- [Y/n]: ")" -n 1 p && echo
   [[ "${p^^}" != "Y" ]] && enable_network="OFF"
   read -r -p "$(msg "Include support for \"internal/mpd\" (requires libmpdclient) -------- [Y/n]: ")" -n 1 p && echo
@@ -50,6 +53,11 @@ function main
   read -r -p "$(msg "Build \"polybar-msg\" used to send ipc messages --------------------- [Y/n]: ")" -n 1 p && echo
   [[ "${p^^}" != "Y" ]] && build_ipc_msg="OFF"
 
+  # pulseaudio overrides alsa
+  if [[ "${enable_alsa}" == "ON" ]] && [[ "${enable_pulseaudio}" == "ON" ]]; then
+    enable_alsa="OFF"
+  fi
+
   local cxx="c++"
   local cc="cc"
 
@@ -68,6 +76,7 @@ function main
     -DCMAKE_C_COMPILER="${cc}"                \
     -DCMAKE_CXX_COMPILER="${cxx}"             \
     -DENABLE_ALSA:BOOL="${enable_alsa}"       \
+    -DENABLE_PULSEAUDIO:BOOL="${enable_pulseaudio}"\
     -DENABLE_I3:BOOL="${enable_i3}"           \
     -DENABLE_MPD:BOOL="${enable_mpd}"         \
     -DENABLE_NETWORK:BOOL="${enable_network}" \
diff --git a/doc/CMakeLists.txt b/doc/CMakeLists.txt
index e265ca5a..b14d452c 100644
--- a/doc/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/doc/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ queryfont(FONT_SIJI ${FONT_SIJI} FIELDS family pixelsize)
 
 # Strip disabled modules {{{
 
-if(NOT ENABLE_ALSA)
+if(NOT (ENABLE_ALSA OR ENABLE_PULSEAUDIO))
   string(REPLACE " volume" "" MODULES_RIGHT ${MODULES_RIGHT})
 endif()
 if(NOT ENABLE_I3)
diff --git a/include/modules/meta/factory.hpp b/include/modules/meta/factory.hpp
index 9c6ca9d8..8e510c58 100644
--- a/include/modules/meta/factory.hpp
+++ b/include/modules/meta/factory.hpp
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
 #if ENABLE_NETWORK
 #include "modules/network.hpp"
 #endif
-#if ENABLE_ALSA
+#if ENABLE_ALSA || ENABLE_PULSEAUDIO
 #include "modules/volume.hpp"
 #endif
 #if ENABLE_CURL
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 #if ENABLE_XKEYBOARD
 #include "modules/xkeyboard.hpp"
 #endif
-#if not(ENABLE_I3 && ENABLE_MPD && ENABLE_NETWORK && ENABLE_ALSA && ENABLE_CURL && ENABLE_XKEYBOARD)
+#if not(ENABLE_I3 && ENABLE_MPD && ENABLE_NETWORK && (ENABLE_ALSA || ENABLE_PULSEAUDIO) && ENABLE_CURL && ENABLE_XKEYBOARD)
 #include "modules/unsupported.hpp"
 #endif
 
diff --git a/include/modules/unsupported.hpp b/include/modules/unsupported.hpp
index c391a1c2..f9c2746e 100644
--- a/include/modules/unsupported.hpp
+++ b/include/modules/unsupported.hpp
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #pragma once
-#if ENABLE_I3 && ENABLE_MPD && ENABLE_NETWORK && ENABLE_ALSA && ENABLE_CURL && ENABLE_XKEYBOARD
+#if ENABLE_I3 && ENABLE_MPD && ENABLE_NETWORK && (ENABLE_ALSA || ENABLE_PULSEAUDIO) && ENABLE_CURL && ENABLE_XKEYBOARD
 #error "Support has been enabled for all optional modules"
 #endif
 
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ namespace modules {
 #if not ENABLE_NETWORK
   DEFINE_UNSUPPORTED_MODULE(network_module, "internal/network");
 #endif
-#if not ENABLE_ALSA
+#if not (ENABLE_ALSA || ENABLE_PULSEAUDIO)
   DEFINE_UNSUPPORTED_MODULE(volume_module, "internal/volume");
 #endif
 #if not ENABLE_CURL
diff --git a/include/modules/volume.hpp b/include/modules/volume.hpp
index 92949e43..008e6772 100644
--- a/include/modules/volume.hpp
+++ b/include/modules/volume.hpp
@@ -1,26 +1,31 @@
 #pragma once
 
 #include "settings.hpp"
-#include "adapters/pulseaudio.hpp"
 #include "modules/meta/event_module.hpp"
 #include "modules/meta/input_handler.hpp"
 
 POLYBAR_NS
 
 // fwd
+#if ENABLE_ALSA
 namespace alsa {
   class mixer;
   class control;
 }
-//class pulseaudio;
+#elif ENABLE_PULSEAUDIO
+class pulseaudio;
+#endif
 
 namespace modules {
   enum class mixer { NONE = 0, MASTER, SPEAKER, HEADPHONE };
   enum class control { NONE = 0, HEADPHONE };
 
+#if ENABLE_ALSA
   using mixer_t = shared_ptr<alsa::mixer>;
   using control_t = shared_ptr<alsa::control>;
+#elif ENABLE_PULSEAUDIO
   using pulseaudio_t = shared_ptr<pulseaudio>;
+#endif
 
   class volume_module : public event_module<volume_module>, public input_handler {
    public:
@@ -57,12 +62,15 @@ namespace modules {
     label_t m_label_volume;
     label_t m_label_muted;
 
+#if ENABLE_PULSEAUDIO
+    pulseaudio_t m_pulseaudio;
+#elif ENABLE_ALSA
     map<mixer, mixer_t> m_mixer;
     map<control, control_t> m_ctrl;
-    pulseaudio_t m_pulseaudio;
 
-    //int m_headphoneid{0};
-    //bool m_mapped{false};
+    int m_headphoneid{0};
+    bool m_mapped{false};
+#endif
     atomic<bool> m_muted{false};
     atomic<bool> m_headphones{false};
     atomic<int> m_volume{0};
diff --git a/src/CMakeLists.txt b/src/CMakeLists.txt
index 251c2866..36c892cf 100644
--- a/src/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ file(GLOB_RECURSE files RELATIVE ${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR} *.c[p]*)
 list(REMOVE_ITEM files ipc.cpp)
 
 if(NOT ENABLE_ALSA)
-  list(REMOVE_ITEM files modules/volume.cpp)
   list(REMOVE_ITEM files adapters/alsa/control.cpp)
   list(REMOVE_ITEM files adapters/alsa/mixer.cpp)
 endif()
@@ -31,6 +30,9 @@ endif()
 if(NOT ENABLE_PULSEAUDIO)
   list(REMOVE_ITEM files adapters/pulseaudio.cpp)
 endif()
+if(NOT (ENABLE_ALSA OR ENABLE_PULSEAUDIO))
+  list(REMOVE_ITEM files modules/volume.cpp)
+endif()
 if(NOT WITH_XRANDR)
   list(REMOVE_ITEM files x11/extensions/randr.cpp)
 endif()
diff --git a/src/adapters/pulseaudio.cpp b/src/adapters/pulseaudio.cpp
index 8af56cf8..6f96307e 100644
--- a/src/adapters/pulseaudio.cpp
+++ b/src/adapters/pulseaudio.cpp
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 #include "adapters/pulseaudio.hpp"
 
 // TODO possibly move all the callback functions to lambda functions
-// also maybe use pa_operation_unref(op)
 // create base volume backend class (mixer/control, pulseaudio inherits from base class)
 // use index instead of name internally?
 POLYBAR_NS
@@ -56,6 +55,7 @@ pulseaudio::pulseaudio(string&& sink_name) : spec_s_name(sink_name) {
   pa_operation* op = pa_context_get_sink_info_by_name(m_context, sink_name.c_str(), sink_info_callback, this);
   while (pa_operation_get_state(op) != PA_OPERATION_DONE)
     pa_threaded_mainloop_wait(m_mainloop);
+  pa_operation_unref(op);
   if (exists)
     s_name = sink_name;
   else {
@@ -65,15 +65,20 @@ pulseaudio::pulseaudio(string&& sink_name) : spec_s_name(sink_name) {
     }
     while (pa_operation_get_state(op) != PA_OPERATION_DONE)
       pa_threaded_mainloop_wait(m_mainloop);
+    pa_operation_unref(op);
     s_name = def_s_name;
     // get the sink index
     op = pa_context_get_sink_info_by_name(m_context, s_name.c_str(), sink_info_callback, this);
+    while (pa_operation_get_state(op) != PA_OPERATION_DONE)
+      pa_threaded_mainloop_wait(m_mainloop);
+    pa_operation_unref(op);
   }
 
   op = pa_context_subscribe(m_context, static_cast<pa_subscription_mask_t>(PA_SUBSCRIPTION_MASK_SINK | PA_SUBSCRIPTION_MASK_SERVER), 
       simple_callback, this);
   while (pa_operation_get_state(op) != PA_OPERATION_DONE)
     pa_threaded_mainloop_wait(m_mainloop);
+  pa_operation_unref(op);
   pa_context_set_subscribe_callback(m_context, subscribe_callback, this);
 
   pa_threaded_mainloop_unlock(m_mainloop);
@@ -84,7 +89,6 @@ pulseaudio::pulseaudio(string&& sink_name) : spec_s_name(sink_name) {
  * Deconstruct pulseaudio
  */
 pulseaudio::~pulseaudio() {
-  pa_threaded_mainloop_unlock(m_mainloop);
   pa_threaded_mainloop_stop(m_mainloop);
   pa_context_disconnect(m_context);
   pa_context_unref(m_context);
@@ -123,6 +127,7 @@ int pulseaudio::process_events() {
         o = pa_context_get_sink_info_by_name(m_context, spec_s_name.c_str(), sink_info_callback, this);
 	while (pa_operation_get_state(o) != PA_OPERATION_DONE)
           pa_threaded_mainloop_wait(m_mainloop);
+        pa_operation_unref(o);
         if (exists)
           s_name = spec_s_name;
         break;
@@ -131,15 +136,18 @@ int pulseaudio::process_events() {
         o = pa_context_get_sink_info_by_name(m_context, s_name.c_str(), get_sink_volume_callback, this);
 	while (pa_operation_get_state(o) != PA_OPERATION_DONE)
           pa_threaded_mainloop_wait(m_mainloop);
+        pa_operation_unref(o);
         break;
       // get default sink 
       case evtype::REMOVE:
         o = pa_context_get_server_info(m_context, get_default_sink_callback, this);
         while (pa_operation_get_state(o) != PA_OPERATION_DONE)
           pa_threaded_mainloop_wait(m_mainloop);
+        pa_operation_unref(o);
         o = pa_context_get_sink_info_by_name(m_context, s_name.c_str(), sink_info_callback, this);
 	while (pa_operation_get_state(o) != PA_OPERATION_DONE)
           pa_threaded_mainloop_wait(m_mainloop);
+        pa_operation_unref(o);
         break;
     }
     m_events.pop();
@@ -154,9 +162,9 @@ int pulseaudio::process_events() {
 int pulseaudio::get_volume() {
   pa_threaded_mainloop_lock(m_mainloop);
   pa_operation *op = pa_context_get_sink_info_by_name(m_context, s_name.c_str(), get_sink_volume_callback, this);
-  while (pa_operation_get_state(op) != PA_OPERATION_DONE) {
+  while (pa_operation_get_state(op) != PA_OPERATION_DONE)
     pa_threaded_mainloop_wait(m_mainloop);
-  }
+  pa_operation_unref(op);
   pa_threaded_mainloop_unlock(m_mainloop);
   // alternatively, user pa_cvolume_avg_mask() to average selected channels
   //return math_util::percentage(pa_cvolume_avg(&cv), PA_VOLUME_MUTED, PA_VOLUME_NORM);
@@ -172,11 +180,13 @@ void pulseaudio::set_volume(float percentage) {
   pa_operation *op = pa_context_get_sink_info_by_name(m_context, s_name.c_str(), get_sink_volume_callback, this);
   while (pa_operation_get_state(op) != PA_OPERATION_DONE)
     pa_threaded_mainloop_wait(m_mainloop);
+  pa_operation_unref(op);
   pa_volume_t vol = math_util::percentage_to_value<pa_volume_t>(percentage, PA_VOLUME_MUTED, PA_VOLUME_NORM);
   pa_cvolume_scale(&cv, vol);
   op = pa_context_set_sink_volume_by_name(m_context, s_name.c_str(), &cv, simple_callback, this);
   while (pa_operation_get_state(op) != PA_OPERATION_DONE)
     pa_threaded_mainloop_wait(m_mainloop);
+  pa_operation_unref(op);
   pa_threaded_mainloop_unlock(m_mainloop);
 }
 
@@ -188,6 +198,7 @@ void pulseaudio::set_mute(bool mode) {
   pa_operation *op = pa_context_set_sink_mute_by_name(m_context, s_name.c_str(), mode, simple_callback, this);
   while (pa_operation_get_state(op) != PA_OPERATION_DONE)
     pa_threaded_mainloop_wait(m_mainloop);
+  pa_operation_unref(op);
   pa_threaded_mainloop_unlock(m_mainloop);
 }
 
@@ -206,6 +217,7 @@ bool pulseaudio::is_muted() {
   pa_operation *op = pa_context_get_sink_info_by_name(m_context, s_name.c_str(), check_mute_callback, this);
   while (pa_operation_get_state(op) != PA_OPERATION_DONE)
           pa_threaded_mainloop_wait(m_mainloop);
+  pa_operation_unref(op);
   pa_threaded_mainloop_unlock(m_mainloop);
   return muted;
 }
diff --git a/src/modules/volume.cpp b/src/modules/volume.cpp
index 37206ea4..7a81b226 100644
--- a/src/modules/volume.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/volume.cpp
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
 #include "modules/volume.hpp"
+#if ENABLE_ALSA
 #include "adapters/alsa/control.hpp"
 #include "adapters/alsa/generic.hpp"
 #include "adapters/alsa/mixer.hpp"
+#elif ENABLE_PULSEAUDIO
 #include "adapters/pulseaudio.hpp"
+#endif
 #include "drawtypes/label.hpp"
 #include "drawtypes/progressbar.hpp"
 #include "drawtypes/ramp.hpp"
@@ -14,14 +17,16 @@
 
 POLYBAR_NS
 
+#if ENABLE_ALSA
 using namespace alsa;
+#endif
 
 namespace modules {
   template class module<volume_module>;
 
   volume_module::volume_module(const bar_settings& bar, string name_) : event_module<volume_module>(bar, move(name_)) {
     // Load configuration values
-    /*
+#if ENABLE_ALSA
     m_mapped = m_conf.get(name(), "mapped", m_mapped);
 
     auto master_mixer_name = m_conf.get(name(), "master-mixer", "Master"s);
@@ -68,10 +73,10 @@ namespace modules {
     } catch (const control_error& err) {
       throw module_error(err.what());
     }
-    */
+#elif ENABLE_PULSEAUDIO
     auto sink_name = m_conf.get(name(), "sink", ""s);
-    //m_pulseaudio = new pulseaudio_t::element_type{move(sink_name)};
     m_pulseaudio = factory_util::unique<pulseaudio>(move(sink_name));
+#endif
 
     // Add formats and elements
     m_formatter->add(FORMAT_VOLUME, TAG_LABEL_VOLUME, {TAG_RAMP_VOLUME, TAG_LABEL_VOLUME, TAG_BAR_VOLUME});
@@ -93,18 +98,18 @@ namespace modules {
   }
 
   void volume_module::teardown() {
-    /*
+#if ENABLE_ALSA
     m_mixer.clear();
     m_ctrl.clear();
-    */
-    //m_pulseaudio.clear();
-    m_pulseaudio.reset();
     snd_config_update_free_global();
+#elif ENABLE_PULSEAUDIO
+    m_pulseaudio.reset();
+#endif
   }
 
   bool volume_module::has_event() {
     // Poll for mixer and control events
-    /*
+#if ENABLE_ALSA
     try {
       if (m_mixer[mixer::MASTER] && m_mixer[mixer::MASTER]->wait(25)) {
         return true;
@@ -121,19 +126,20 @@ namespace modules {
     } catch (const alsa_exception& e) {
       m_log.err("%s: %s", name(), e.what());
     }
-    */
+#elif ENABLE_PULSEAUDIO
     try {
       if (m_pulseaudio->wait(25))
         return true;
     } catch (const pulseaudio_error& e) {
       m_log.err("%s: %s", name(), e.what());
     }
+#endif
     return false;
   }
 
   bool volume_module::update() {
     // Consume pending events
-    /*
+#if ENABLE_ALSA
     if (m_mixer[mixer::MASTER]) {
       m_mixer[mixer::MASTER]->process_events();
     }
@@ -146,15 +152,16 @@ namespace modules {
     if (m_ctrl[control::HEADPHONE]) {
       m_ctrl[control::HEADPHONE]->process_events();
     }
-    */
+#elif ENABLE_PULSEAUDIO
     m_pulseaudio->process_events();
+#endif
 
     // Get volume, mute and headphone state
     m_volume = 100;
     m_muted = false;
     m_headphones = false;
 
-    /*
+#if ENABLE_ALSA
     try {
       if (m_mixer[mixer::MASTER]) {
         m_volume = m_volume * (m_mapped ? m_mixer[mixer::MASTER]->get_normalized_volume() / 100.0f
@@ -185,7 +192,7 @@ namespace modules {
     } catch (const alsa_exception& err) {
       m_log.err("%s: Failed to query speaker mixer (%s)", name(), err.what());
     }
-    */
+#elif ENABLE_PULSEAUDIO
     try {
       if (m_pulseaudio) {
         m_volume = m_volume * m_pulseaudio->get_volume() / 100.0f;
@@ -194,6 +201,7 @@ namespace modules {
     } catch (const pulseaudio_error& err) {
       m_log.err("%s: Failed to query pulseaudio sink (%s)", name(), err.what());
     }
+#endif
 
     // Replace label tokens
     if (m_label_volume) {
@@ -252,12 +260,14 @@ namespace modules {
       return false;
     } else if (cmd.compare(0, 3, EVENT_PREFIX) != 0) {
       return false;
-    //} else if (!m_mixer[mixer::MASTER]) {
-    //  return false;
+#if ENABLE_ALSA
+    } else if (!m_mixer[mixer::MASTER]) {
+      return false;
+#endif
     }
 
     try {
-      /*
+#if ENABLE_ALSA
       vector<mixer_t> mixers;
       bool headphones{m_headphones};
 
@@ -297,7 +307,7 @@ namespace modules {
           mixer->process_events();
         }
       }
-      */
+#elif ENABLE_PULSEAUDIO
       if (m_pulseaudio && !m_pulseaudio->get_name().empty()) {
         if (cmd.compare(0, strlen(EVENT_TOGGLE_MUTE), EVENT_TOGGLE_MUTE) == 0) {
           printf("toggling mute\n");
@@ -314,6 +324,7 @@ namespace modules {
           m_pulseaudio->process_events();
         }
       }
+#endif
     } catch (const exception& err) {
       m_log.err("%s: Failed to handle command (%s)", name(), err.what());
     }