diff --git a/brownie/network/middlewares/caching.py b/brownie/network/middlewares/caching.py
index c6cb19945..469904fa4 100644
--- a/brownie/network/middlewares/caching.py
+++ b/brownie/network/middlewares/caching.py
@@ -117,6 +117,9 @@ def start_block_filter_loop(self):
 
     @classmethod
     def get_layer(cls, w3: Web3, network_type: str) -> Optional[int]:
+        if CONFIG.settings['eager_caching'] is False:
+            # do not cache when user doesn't want it
+            return None
         if network_type != "live":
             # do not cache on development chains
             return None