diff --git a/oml/nodes.py b/oml/nodes.py
index d16b402..ea89cf7 100644
--- a/oml/nodes.py
+++ b/oml/nodes.py
@@ -542,6 +542,8 @@ class Nodes(Thread):
             self.queue('pull')
 
     def _pull(self):
+        if not state.sync_enabled or settings.preferences.get('downloadRate') == 0:
+            return
         if state.activity and state.activity.get('activity') == 'import':
             return
         self._pulling = True
diff --git a/oml/state.py b/oml/state.py
index 7f63690..4768e7b 100644
--- a/oml/state.py
+++ b/oml/state.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ node = False
 online = False
 tasks = False
 downloads = False
+sync_enabled = True
 tor = False
 update = False
 shutdown = False