diff --git a/core/src/main/java/bisq/core/api/CoreMoneroConnectionsService.java b/core/src/main/java/bisq/core/api/CoreMoneroConnectionsService.java
index b5333a2020..1e74eb701a 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/bisq/core/api/CoreMoneroConnectionsService.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/bisq/core/api/CoreMoneroConnectionsService.java
@@ -379,7 +379,7 @@ public final class CoreMoneroConnectionsService {
             }
 
             // if using legacy desktop app, connect to best available connection
-            if (!coreContext.isApiUser()) {
+            if (!coreContext.isApiUser() && "".equals(config.xmrNode)) {
                 connectionManager.setAutoSwitch(true);
                 connectionManager.setConnection(connectionManager.getBestAvailableConnection());
             }