diff --git a/sdk/js/src/Client.ts b/sdk/js/src/Client.ts
index 565aeb830..4921d1c83 100644
--- a/sdk/js/src/Client.ts
+++ b/sdk/js/src/Client.ts
@@ -122,7 +122,9 @@ export class DevCycleClient<
         this.eventQueue = new EventQueue(sdkKey, this, options)
 
         this.eventEmitter = new EventEmitter()
-        this.registerVisibilityChangeHandler()
+        if (!this.options.disableRealtimeUpdates) {
+            this.registerVisibilityChangeHandler()
+        }
 
         this.onInitialized = new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
             this.settleOnInitialized = (value, error) => {