diff --git a/plugins/hifiNeuron/src/NeuronPlugin.cpp b/plugins/hifiNeuron/src/NeuronPlugin.cpp
index 93e7da028f..4e27777628 100644
--- a/plugins/hifiNeuron/src/NeuronPlugin.cpp
+++ b/plugins/hifiNeuron/src/NeuronPlugin.cpp
@@ -367,6 +367,12 @@ void NeuronPlugin::init() {
 
     auto preferences = DependencyManager::get<Preferences>();
     static const QString NEURON_PLUGIN { "Perception Neuron" };
+    {
+        auto getter = [this]()->bool { return _enabled; };
+        auto setter = [this](bool value) { _enabled = value; saveSettings(); };
+        auto preference = new CheckPreference(NEURON_PLUGIN, "Enabled", getter, setter);
+        preferences->addPreference(preference);
+    }
     {
         auto getter = [this]()->QString { return _serverAddress; };
         auto setter = [this](const QString& value) { _serverAddress = value; saveSettings(); };
@@ -387,12 +393,6 @@ void NeuronPlugin::init() {
         preference->setStep(1);
         preferences->addPreference(preference);
     }
-    {
-        auto getter = [this]()->bool { return _enabled; };
-        auto setter = [this](bool value) { _enabled = value; saveSettings(); };
-        auto preference = new CheckPreference(NEURON_PLUGIN, "Enabled", getter, setter);
-        preferences->addPreference(preference);
-    }
 }
 
 bool NeuronPlugin::isSupported() const {
@@ -455,6 +455,10 @@ void NeuronPlugin::deactivate() {
 }
 
 void NeuronPlugin::pluginUpdate(float deltaTime, const controller::InputCalibrationData& inputCalibrationData) {
+    if (!_enabled) {
+        return;
+    }
+
     std::vector<NeuronJoint> joints;
     {
         // lock and copy