diff --git a/internal/dns/state.go b/internal/dns/state.go
index 1652d7ef..cea35e45 100644
--- a/internal/dns/state.go
+++ b/internal/dns/state.go
@@ -92,6 +92,8 @@ func (l *looper) SetSettings(settings settings.DNS) (outcome string) {
 		return "update period changed"
 	}
 	_, _ = l.SetStatus(constants.Stopped)
-	outcome, _ = l.SetStatus(constants.Running)
+	if settings.Enabled {
+		outcome, _ = l.SetStatus(constants.Running)
+	}
 	return outcome
 }