diff --git a/source3/printing/pcap.c b/source3/printing/pcap.c
index 726111816d6..d771cd9dfeb 100644
--- a/source3/printing/pcap.c
+++ b/source3/printing/pcap.c
@@ -139,6 +139,11 @@ void pcap_cache_reload(struct tevent_context *ev,
 
 	DEBUG(3, ("reloading printcap cache\n"));
 
+	if (!lp_load_printers()) {
+		DBG_NOTICE("skipping reload - load printers disabled\n");
+		return;
+	}
+
 	/* only go looking if no printcap name supplied */
 	if (pcap_name == NULL || *pcap_name == 0) {
 		DEBUG(0, ("No printcap file name configured!\n"));
diff --git a/source3/printing/queue_process.c b/source3/printing/queue_process.c
index 197bde01086..7ac609a318a 100644
--- a/source3/printing/queue_process.c
+++ b/source3/printing/queue_process.c
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ static bool printing_subsystem_queue_tasks(struct bq_state *state)
 	/* cancel any existing housekeeping event */
 	TALLOC_FREE(state->housekeep);
 
-	if (housekeeping_period == 0) {
+	if ((housekeeping_period == 0) || !lp_load_printers()) {
 		DEBUG(4, ("background print queue housekeeping disabled\n"));
 		return true;
 	}