diff --git a/server/startup/presence.js b/server/startup/presence.js
index 4a1b9cf46af3..6bc6029168cc 100644
--- a/server/startup/presence.js
+++ b/server/startup/presence.js
@@ -14,5 +14,9 @@ Meteor.startup(function() {
 
 	UserPresence.start();
 
-	return UserPresenceMonitor.start();
+	const startMonitor = typeof process.env.DISABLE_PRESENCE_MONITOR === 'undefined' ||
+		!['true', 'yes'].includes(String(process.env.DISABLE_PRESENCE_MONITOR).toLowerCase());
+	if (startMonitor) {
+		UserPresenceMonitor.start();
+	}
 });