diff --git a/crates/zed/src/only_instance.rs b/crates/zed/src/only_instance.rs
index 0450b5908b..a8c4b30816 100644
--- a/crates/zed/src/only_instance.rs
+++ b/crates/zed/src/only_instance.rs
@@ -37,6 +37,10 @@ pub enum IsOnlyInstance {
 }
 
 pub fn ensure_only_instance() -> IsOnlyInstance {
+    if *db::ZED_STATELESS {
+        return IsOnlyInstance::Yes;
+    }
+
     if check_got_handshake() {
         return IsOnlyInstance::No;
     }