diff --git a/modules/services/syncthing.nix b/modules/services/syncthing.nix
index bab71518a..02d6c96c7 100644
--- a/modules/services/syncthing.nix
+++ b/modules/services/syncthing.nix
@@ -706,7 +706,7 @@ in {
         };
 
         syncthing-init = {
-          enable = true;
+          enable = cleanedConfig != { };
           config = {
             ProgramArguments = [ "${updateConfig}" ];
             WatchPaths = [