diff --git a/client/server/mdm.go b/client/server/mdm.go
index d2d686a39..ad565e0e0 100644
--- a/client/server/mdm.go
+++ b/client/server/mdm.go
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ func (s *Server) restartEngineForMDMLocked() error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("get active profile state: %w", err)
 	}
-	config, existingConfig, err := s.getConfig(activeProf)
+	config, _, err := s.getConfig(activeProf)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("get active profile config: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -151,12 +151,6 @@ func (s *Server) restartEngineForMDMLocked() error {
 		s.actCancel = nil
 		return nil
 	}
-	if !existingConfig {
-		log.Warn("MDM restart: config absent; not reconnecting")
-		state.Set(internal.StatusNeedsLogin)
-		s.actCancel = nil
-		return nil
-	}
 
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(s.rootCtx)
 	s.actCancel = cancel