diff --git a/yt_dlp/plugins.py b/yt_dlp/plugins.py
index d91ebf2ef..2e88579e1 100644
--- a/yt_dlp/plugins.py
+++ b/yt_dlp/plugins.py
@@ -158,6 +158,9 @@ def search_locations(self, fullname):
                 write_string(f'Permission error while accessing modules in "{e.filename}"\n')
 
     def find_spec(self, fullname, path=None, target=None):
+        if not plugins_enabled.value:
+            return None
+
         if fullname not in self.packages:
             return None