diff --git a/servers/slapd/backglue.c b/servers/slapd/backglue.c
index fff3081b7e..2da793e466 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/backglue.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/backglue.c
@@ -1309,7 +1309,7 @@ glue_db_init(
 
 	SLAP_DBFLAGS( be ) |= SLAP_DBFLAG_GLUE_INSTANCE;
 
-	if ( ga_list ) {
+	if ( ga_list && ( slapMode & SLAP_SERVER_MODE ) ) {
 		be->bd_info = (BackendInfo *)oi;
 		glue_sub_attach( 1 );
 	}