diff --git a/service/storage_service.cc b/service/storage_service.cc
index 4a3925ae8b..f4c5d79e5f 100644
--- a/service/storage_service.cc
+++ b/service/storage_service.cc
@@ -447,7 +447,9 @@ void storage_service::prepare_to_join(std::vector<inet_address> loaded_endpoints
     BatchlogManager.instance.start();
 #endif
     // Wait for gossip to settle so that the fetures will be enabled
-    gms::get_local_gossiper().wait_for_gossip_to_settle().get();
+    if (do_bind) {
+        gms::get_local_gossiper().wait_for_gossip_to_settle().get();
+    }
 }
 
 // Runs inside seastar::async context