diff --git a/.changeset/empty-windows-nail.md b/.changeset/empty-windows-nail.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0b2eeb08cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/empty-windows-nail.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@backstage/plugin-catalog': patch
+---
+
+Make the external `createComponent` route optional, hiding the "Create Component" button if it isn't bound.
diff --git a/.changeset/popular-sheep-act.md b/.changeset/popular-sheep-act.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..885d9f0e6b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/popular-sheep-act.md
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+---
+'@backstage/core-api': patch
+'@backstage/core': patch
+---
+
+Added support for optional external route references. By setting `optional: true` when creating an `ExternalRouteRef` it is no longer a requirement to bind the route in the app. If the app isn't bound `useRouteRef` will return `undefined`.