diff --git a/tools/pvscan.c b/tools/pvscan.c
index f5367e4f2..e2b0a8354 100644
--- a/tools/pvscan.c
+++ b/tools/pvscan.c
@@ -194,6 +194,9 @@ static int _pvscan_autoactivate_single(struct cmd_context *cmd, const char *vg_n
 	if (vg_is_clustered(vg))
 		return ECMD_PROCESSED;
 
+	if (vg_is_exported(vg))
+		return ECMD_PROCESSED;
+
 	if (is_lockd_type(vg->lock_type))
 		return ECMD_PROCESSED;