diff --git a/lib/middleware.js b/lib/middleware.js
index 7bea0f75..3b881471 100644
--- a/lib/middleware.js
+++ b/lib/middleware.js
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ module.exports = function(srf, logger) {
     const {rootSpan, siprec, application:app} = req.locals;
     let span;
     try {
-      if (app.tasks && !JAMBONES_MYSQL_REFRESH_TTL) {
+      if (app.tasks && app.tasks?.length > 0 && !JAMBONES_MYSQL_REFRESH_TTL) {
         app.tasks = normalizeJambones(logger, app.tasks).map((tdata) => makeTask(logger, tdata));
         if (0 === app.tasks.length) throw new Error('no application provided');
         return next();