diff --git a/plantcv/parallel/jupyterconfig.py b/plantcv/parallel/jupyterconfig.py
index 4803d2fd2..9032ebe31 100644
--- a/plantcv/parallel/jupyterconfig.py
+++ b/plantcv/parallel/jupyterconfig.py
@@ -51,7 +51,8 @@ def __init__(self):
         # does not need to have reactive metadata_terms, those are made when run() is called
 
     def __setattr__(self, name, value):
-        _config_attr_lookup(self, name, value)
+        if self.in_notebook():
+            _config_attr_lookup(self, name, value)
         object.__setattr__(self, name, value)
 
     # make reactive notebook property and hidden helper