diff --git a/lbry/conf.py b/lbry/conf.py
index c204a49f5..fa9b6fed4 100644
--- a/lbry/conf.py
+++ b/lbry/conf.py
@@ -558,7 +558,7 @@ class Config(CLIConfig):
         "Don't download streams with fees exceeding this amount. When set to "
         "null, the amount is unbounded.", {'currency': 'USD', 'amount': 50.0}
     )
-    max_wallet_server_fee = String("Maximum daily LBC amount allowed as payment for wallet servers.", "1.0")
+    max_wallet_server_fee = String("Maximum daily LBC amount allowed as payment for wallet servers.", "0.0")
 
     # reflector settings
     reflect_streams = Toggle(
diff --git a/lbry/wallet/usage_payment.py b/lbry/wallet/usage_payment.py
index 8195535db..9e7c6857b 100644
--- a/lbry/wallet/usage_payment.py
+++ b/lbry/wallet/usage_payment.py
@@ -64,6 +64,8 @@ class WalletServerPayer:
             self._on_payment_controller.add(tx)
 
     async def start(self, ledger=None, wallet=None):
+        if lbc_to_dewies(self.max_fee) < 1:
+            return
         self.ledger = ledger
         self.wallet = wallet
         self.running = True
diff --git a/tests/integration/blockchain/test_wallet_server_sessions.py b/tests/integration/blockchain/test_wallet_server_sessions.py
index df52b446f..96564dcd5 100644
--- a/tests/integration/blockchain/test_wallet_server_sessions.py
+++ b/tests/integration/blockchain/test_wallet_server_sessions.py
@@ -57,6 +57,13 @@ class TestUsagePayment(CommandTestCase):
     async def test_single_server_payment(self):
         wallet_pay_service = self.daemon.component_manager.get_component('wallet_server_payments')
         wallet_pay_service.payment_period = 1
+        # only starts with a positive max key fee
+        wallet_pay_service.max_fee = "0.0"
+        await wallet_pay_service.start(ledger=self.ledger, wallet=self.wallet)
+        self.assertFalse(wallet_pay_service.running)
+        wallet_pay_service.max_fee = "1.0"
+        await wallet_pay_service.start(ledger=self.ledger, wallet=self.wallet)
+        self.assertTrue(wallet_pay_service.running)
         await wallet_pay_service.stop()
         await wallet_pay_service.start(ledger=self.ledger, wallet=self.wallet)