diff --git a/oml/server.py b/oml/server.py
index fbae2fc..130f120 100644
--- a/oml/server.py
+++ b/oml/server.py
@@ -146,13 +146,12 @@ def run():
     http_server.listen(settings.server['port'], settings.server['address'], max_buffer_size=max_buffer_size)
 
     # public server
-    '''
-    public_port = settings.server.get('public_port')
-    public_address = settings.server['public_address']
-    if public_port:
-        public_server = Application(public_handlers, **options)
-        public_server.listen(public_port, public_address)
-    '''
+    if settings.preferences.get('enableReadOnlyService'):
+        public_port = settings.server.get('public_port')
+        public_address = settings.server['public_address']
+        if public_port:
+            public_server = Application(public_handlers, **options)
+            public_server.listen(public_port, public_address)
 
     if PID:
         with open(PID, 'w') as pid: