diff --git a/src/reactive/designate_handlers.py b/src/reactive/designate_handlers.py
index 87b3444..affeec2 100644
--- a/src/reactive/designate_handlers.py
+++ b/src/reactive/designate_handlers.py
@@ -105,6 +105,7 @@ def config_rendered():
     reactive.set_state('config.rendered')
 
 
+@reactive.when_none('charm.paused')
 @reactive.when('config.rendered', 'base-config.rendered')
 def start_designate_services():
     """Enable services when database is synchronized"""
diff --git a/unit_tests/test_designate_handlers.py b/unit_tests/test_designate_handlers.py
index f665322..ab56229 100644
--- a/unit_tests/test_designate_handlers.py
+++ b/unit_tests/test_designate_handlers.py
@@ -72,6 +72,8 @@ class TestRegisteredHooks(test_utils.TestRegisteredHooks):
             'when_none': {
                 'clear_dns_config_available': (
                     'dns-slaves-config-valid', 'dns-backend.available', ),
+                'start_designate_services': (
+                    'charm.paused', ),
             },
             'when_file_changed': {
                 'local_pools_updated': ('/etc/designate/pools.yaml', ),