diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/automation.js b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/automation.js
index c9c8759fd6..0f2cae40de 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/automation.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/automation.js
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ async function checkForCronTriggers({ appId, oldAuto, newAuto }) {
 
   const cronTriggerActivated = isLive(newAuto) && !isLive(oldAuto)
 
-  if (cronTriggerRemoved || cronTriggerDeactivated) {
+  if (cronTriggerRemoved || cronTriggerDeactivated && oldTrigger.cronJobId) {
     await triggers.automationQueue.removeRepeatableByKey(oldTrigger.cronJobId)
   }
   // need to create cron job