diff --git a/ts/cluster/cluster-manager.ts b/ts/cluster/cluster-manager.ts
index 46fdc35..fd80424 100644
--- a/ts/cluster/cluster-manager.ts
+++ b/ts/cluster/cluster-manager.ts
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import type {
 import { CLUSTER, PATHS } from '../constants.ts';
 
 export class ClusterManager {
+  private initialized = false;
   private config: IClusterConfig = {
     enabled: false,
     nodeName: 'modelgrid-local',
@@ -63,6 +64,8 @@ export class ClusterManager {
     } catch {
       // No persisted control state yet.
     }
+
+    this.initialized = true;
   }
 
   public configure(config: IClusterConfig): void {
@@ -384,6 +387,10 @@ export class ClusterManager {
   }
 
   private schedulePersist(): void {
+    if (!this.initialized) {
+      return;
+    }
+
     if (this.persistQueued) {
       return;
     }
@@ -396,6 +403,10 @@ export class ClusterManager {
   }
 
   private scheduleControlPersist(): void {
+    if (!this.initialized) {
+      return;
+    }
+
     if (this.controlPersistQueued) {
       return;
     }