diff --git a/backend/cache/handle.go b/backend/cache/handle.go
index 0cb0d6851..d78bbf737 100644
--- a/backend/cache/handle.go
+++ b/backend/cache/handle.go
@@ -148,7 +148,8 @@ func (r *Handle) scaleWorkers(desired int) {
 func (r *Handle) confirmExternalReading() {
 	// if we have a max value of workers
 	// then we skip this step
-	if len(r.workers) > 1 {
+	if len(r.workers) > 1 ||
+		!r.cacheFs().plexConnector.isConfigured() {
 		return
 	}
 	if !r.cacheFs().plexConnector.isPlaying(r.cachedObject) {