diff --git a/src/peer_channels.rs b/src/peer_channels.rs
index 614e1bf46..c77ca0f40 100644
--- a/src/peer_channels.rs
+++ b/src/peer_channels.rs
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 //!    (scoped per WebXDC app instance/message-id). The other peers can then join the gossip with `joinRealtimeChannel().setListener()`
 //!    and `joinRealtimeChannel().send()` just like the other peers.
 
-use anyhow::{anyhow, Context as _, Result};
+use anyhow::{anyhow, bail, Context as _, Result};
 use email::Header;
 use futures_lite::StreamExt;
 use iroh_gossip::net::{Event, Gossip, GossipEvent, JoinOptions, GOSSIP_ALPN};
@@ -277,6 +277,10 @@ impl Context {
 
     /// Get or initialize the iroh peer channel.
     pub async fn get_or_try_init_peer_channel(&self) -> Result<&Iroh> {
+        if !self.get_config_bool(Config::WebxdcRealtimeEnabled).await? {
+            bail!("Attempt to get Iroh when realtime is disabled");
+        }
+
         let ctx = self.clone();
         self.iroh
             .get_or_try_init(|| async { ctx.init_peer_channels().await })
@@ -949,6 +953,10 @@ mod tests {
         // creates iroh endpoint as side effect
         leave_webxdc_realtime(alice, MsgId::new(1)).await.unwrap();
 
-        assert!(alice.ctx.iroh.get().is_none())
+        assert!(alice.ctx.iroh.get().is_none());
+
+        // This internal function should return error
+        // if accidentally called with the setting disabled.
+        assert!(alice.ctx.get_or_try_init_peer_channel().await.is_err());
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/receive_imf.rs b/src/receive_imf.rs
index 1aa4c3381..0da6c1244 100644
--- a/src/receive_imf.rs
+++ b/src/receive_imf.rs
@@ -1454,8 +1454,13 @@ async fn add_parts(
                     let relay_server = node_addr.relay_url().map(|relay| relay.as_str());
                     iroh_add_peer_for_topic(context, instance_id, topic, node_id, relay_server)
                         .await?;
-                    let iroh = context.get_or_try_init_peer_channel().await?;
-                    iroh.maybe_add_gossip_peers(topic, vec![node_addr]).await?;
+                    if context
+                        .get_config_bool(Config::WebxdcRealtimeEnabled)
+                        .await?
+                    {
+                        let iroh = context.get_or_try_init_peer_channel().await?;
+                        iroh.maybe_add_gossip_peers(topic, vec![node_addr]).await?;
+                    }
                 } else {
                     warn!(
                         context,