diff --git a/cashu/core/migrations.py b/cashu/core/migrations.py
index 0b862af..7bab5ee 100644
--- a/cashu/core/migrations.py
+++ b/cashu/core/migrations.py
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ async def migrate_databases(db: Database, migrations_module):
                 if version > current_versions.get(db_name, 0):
                     migration_needed = True
                     break
-        if migration_needed:
+        if migration_needed and settings.db_backup_path:
             logger.debug(f"Creating backup of {db_name} db")
             current_version = current_versions.get(db_name, 0)
             await backup_database(db, current_version)
diff --git a/cashu/core/settings.py b/cashu/core/settings.py
index f65fd8b..6a58eeb 100644
--- a/cashu/core/settings.py
+++ b/cashu/core/settings.py
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ class EnvSettings(CashuSettings):
     cashu_dir: str = Field(default=os.path.join(str(Path.home()), ".cashu"))
     debug_profiling: bool = Field(default=False)
     debug_mint_only_deprecated: bool = Field(default=False)
-    db_backup_path: str = Field(default=False)
+    db_backup_path: Optional[str] = Field(default=None)
 
 
 class MintSettings(CashuSettings):