diff --git a/synapse/app/homeserver.py b/synapse/app/homeserver.py
index 82979e7d1b0a2c946bd2d38ae2a961ad8481c96d..2da60682ec74094463dec358f650cb87941c7556 100755
--- a/synapse/app/homeserver.py
+++ b/synapse/app/homeserver.py
@@ -531,7 +531,8 @@ def run(hs):
         limit_usage_by_mau_gauge.set(float(hs.config.limit_usage_by_mau))
 
     generate_monthly_active_users()
-    clock.looping_call(generate_monthly_active_users, 5 * 60 * 1000)
+    if hs.config.limit_usage_by_mau:
+        clock.looping_call(generate_monthly_active_users, 5 * 60 * 1000)
 
     if hs.config.report_stats:
         logger.info("Scheduling stats reporting for 3 hour intervals")