diff --git a/client/server/mdm.go b/client/server/mdm.go
index ad565e0e0..e4b71596c 100644
--- a/client/server/mdm.go
+++ b/client/server/mdm.go
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ import (
 	"google.golang.org/grpc/codes"
 	gstatus "google.golang.org/grpc/status"
 
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/mdm"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
 )
@@ -144,14 +143,6 @@ func (s *Server) restartEngineForMDMLocked() error {
 	s.statusRecorder.UpdateRosenpass(config.RosenpassEnabled, config.RosenpassPermissive)
 	s.statusRecorder.UpdateLazyConnection(config.LazyConnectionEnabled)
 
-	state := internal.CtxGetState(s.rootCtx)
-	if config.DisableAutoConnect {
-		log.Info("MDM restart: DisableAutoConnect=true; staying idle")
-		state.Set(internal.StatusIdle)
-		s.actCancel = nil
-		return nil
-	}
-
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(s.rootCtx)
 	s.actCancel = cancel
 	s.clientRunning = true